Bookmark: MAP's link to shadow convention items:
http://www.mapinc.org/shadow.htm

Note: Shadow Convention websites:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
http://www.shadowconventions.com/

JOHNSON AIRS DRUG VIEWS AT 'SHADOW CONVENTION'

Even as New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is pledging his allegiance to the
Republican Party, he left his party's national convention in Philadelphia
today to rally for the legalization of marijuana.

Johnson, a Republican, gave a 20-minute speech this morning at the "shadow
convention," pitching again for a reversal of the nation's drug policies so
that marijuana would be legal.

"The point here, is we do need to change the law," Johnson said to huge
applause at the shadow convention, an event meant to showcase issues that
are not being discussed at the Republican National Convention down the
street.

"Drug prohibition is what is tearing this country apart," Johnson said.
"It's not drug use, and nobody wants to hear that."

The shadow convention is being broadcast live on the Internet at
http://www.shadowconventions.com .

Overhauling drug policies, including legalizing marijuana, is one of the
issues Republicans and Democrats are ignoring, said Ethan Nadelmann,
executive director of the Lindesmith Center Drug Policy Foundation.

Johnson, a self-described poster boy for the movement to change the nation's
drug policies, was trying to attract some national media attention to the
issue during his speech at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg
Center.

But to do so, Johnson and other high-profile politicians participating in
the shadow convention need to steal the spotlight from the Republican
convention at the nearby First Union Center.

The dual roles -- participating in competing conventions -- should not be a
problem for Johnson, said Dave Miller, the governor's legislative liaison.

Miller emphasized that Johnson's priority in Philadelphia this week is to
cheer on the Republican Party and its nominee for president, Texas Gov.
George W. Bush.

The shadow convention is an "exception" to Johnson's itinerary, Miller said.

"I certainly see him snugly wearing his Republican hat, making a clear
statement of support for George W. Bush's candidacy and the Republican
platform," Miller said. "There'll be no goofing around. He's a member of
that club.

"Yet on this one issue of drug policy, he has been asked because of his
unique position to speak out on issues of reform."

Johnson's "unique position" is that of being one of the highest-ranking
elected officials calling for a radical shift in drug policy.

While Johnson is in favor of legalizing some drugs, like marijuana and
heroin, he has softened his position over the last year to focus more on
short-term solutions, such as needle exchanges and methadone clinics, to
reduce the effects of drug use.

Critics say the governor is talking out of both sides of this mouth on the
drug issue. While pushing "harm reduction" for drugs, Johnson has continued
to veto money from state budgets to rehabilitate addicts.

But Johnson reiterated today that legalizing marijuana is still on his
long-term radar screen.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson followed Johnson's speech this morning with one of
his own about the racial implications of the nation's drug war.

"We talk about equal protection under the law . . . yet three-fourths of
those in jail are black or brown," Jackson told the crowd. "What's wrong
with that picture?"

Jackson, founder of the Rainbow Coalition and former Democratic presidential
candidate, urged people to use their power to vote, while also taking
critical jabs at the Bush campaign for overlooking issues important to
minorities.

"Let's seize power, let's change priorities," Jackson said. "Let's go
forward by hopes and dreams, not backward by fear and cynicism."

Johnson is not the only person having to juggle allegiances while
participating in the shadow convention.

Former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain kicked off the shadow
convention Sunday, despite a push over the weekend to show he is backing his
former rival, Bush, at the Republican convention.

McCain, who became a symbol during the Republican primaries for bucking the
political status quo, upset some of the people at the shadow convention for
lacing his speech with pro-Bush rhetoric.

The shadow convention is also focusing on campaign-finance reform and
poverty issues.

California Rep. Tom Campbell, a candidate for U.S. Senate, was also
scheduled to speak today.

Johnson will also speak at the shadow convention scheduled for Aug. 15 in
Los Angeles, where the Democratic National Convention will be held.