Johnson's fundraising lackluster

Campaign contributions are trickling in for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson's 2012 presidential campaign as he plans his 13th trip to New Hampshire in the last 18 months, but he'll need to raise more money if he wants to be competitive.

Campaign treasurer Chet Goodwin reported Johnson raised a little more than $180,000 between announcing his campaign in mid-April through July 15, and spent nearly all of it. The campaign reported $6,000 cash on hand.

Johnson, an avid outdoorsman, may want to consider touring on his cycle, pitching a tent or making reservations with a budget hotel along the campaign trail, because the report indicates he has racked up more than $227,000 in debts and other obligations.

Johnson lags behind Republican front-runners Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Michelle Bachman and Ron Paul.

Romeny reported raising $18 million...well ahead of Paul's $4.5 million, Pawlenty's $4.3 million, and Bachman's $3.6 million.

President Barack Obama raised more than $46 million.

In New Hampshire this weekend, Johnson said he plans to compete in the 38th Annual Stratham Fair Road Race, speak to students at Dartmouth College, and attend campaign events in Keene, Freedom, Dover, Conway and Exeter.

Johnson's probably wishing CNN would have invited him to the first big GOP debate, where he might have been able to reach more potential donors.

Video: Johnson says GOP win not a mandate

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who has been fueling speculation about a possible run for President in 2012, with the launch of his Our America Initiative, wrapped up his first trip of the year to New Hampshire on Saturday with a keynote address at the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire forum.



While in the Granite state, Johnson talked with the New Hampshire Watchdog.org about taxes and spending and warned GOP officials not get "to get cocky over the election of Scott Brown" to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, arguing that voter frustration extends to both parties.




Johnson, who has drawn attention for his stand on ending the "War on Drugs, continues to criticize government officials for "outrageous" spending.

Johnson told the NH Watchdog.org he's trying to bring Tea Party and Libertarian activists back into the Republican fold.

In fact, he said he believes "working within the two-party system is a faster and more productive way to shrink the federal government."

Gary Johnson traveling to New Hampshire.

Former N.M. Gov. Gary Johnson is heading to New Hampshire — the nation’s first presidential primary state — next month.

Johnson, the honorary chairman of his political action committee Our America Initiative, will be the keynote speaker at the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire On Jan. 23 at the Grappone Center in Concord, N.H.

While Johnson, a libertarian-leaning Republican, has not declared his candidacy for president — or really even said he’s seriously considering running — he has been mentioned as a possible candidate in 2012 and has been a favorite of many of the same people who supported Ron Paul in 2008.

Last week, Politico reported that Johnson is “doing little to knock down the idea that he may be looking toward a 2012 presidential run.” Heading to New Hampshire two years before the nation’s first primary could add fuel to speculation that he’s preparing a national campaign.

Johnson, a two-term governor who preceded Gov. Bill Richardson, endorsed Ron Paul for president last year and spoke at Paul’s Rally for the Republic in Minnesota in 2008.

A grassroots group has been running JohnsonForAmerica.com and another group has set up a Gary Johnson For President in 2012 group on Facebook. Earlier this year, the American Conservative reported that Johnson said he was keeping his options open in regards to a 2012 presidential run.

Johnson has been quite active lately. He recently talked with NMPolitics.net’s about the budget crisis in Santa Fe, and in this audio and video Johnson speaks about his continued push for decriminalizing and legalizing drugs in the United States.