On the edge of 2010, with only two years to go before the first Presidential primaries and caucuses in the US. A Libertarian Republican appears to be the very first to make an explicit move towards a candidacy.

From the Nashua Telegraph, Dec. 29:

Republican Gary Johnson, who served as New Mexico’s governor from 1995 to 2003, will speak at a forum Jan. 23 organized by the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire.

The group’s chairman, Jim Forsythe, told the New Hampshire Union Leader that speculation that Johnson may run for president in 2012 was one of the reasons he was invited. Johnson has not said whether he is considering a run, but he is building a following among ladvocates for smaller government, and there are several Web sites dedicated to drafting him to run.

Johnson also recently set up a political action committee to promote libertarian views.

Meanwhile Johnson has been gaining attention on another front. He's been carving out a "third way" approach on foreign policy, simultaneously opposing the War in Iraq and calling for the Troops to come home from Afghanistan, while also carefully distancing himself from isolationism, and stressing his support for a strong Military and Defense against all threats to the US.

From a recent press release:

Governor Johnson has also been a strong advocate of the war on terrorism but has been critical of the war in Afghanistan. “Our efforts should be directed towards protecting U.S. citizens and our allies from terrorism. We are at war with Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. I am very concerned about the direction and focus of our continued involvement in Afghanistan,” Johnson said.

Johnson's PAC OurAmericaInitiative.com