Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, saying he represents the views of most Americans on the issues, told an enthusiastic rally Monday evening not to listen to opponents who say supporting him is pointless.

“When somebody says to you that you are wasting your vote, how is there not a more wasted vote than voting for somebody you don’t believe in?” Johnson said as cheers erupted.

In a wide-ranging speech to an estimated 1,200 supporters at the University of Colorado South Denver campus near Parker, Johnson touched on basic themes of his campaign, from free market economics to balancing the budget, marriage equality, curbing health care costs through competition and support of the Second Amendment — though with discussion of measures to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and the mentally ill.

He also voiced his belief that the U.S. should have an invincible national defense, “but let’s stop being the world’s policeman.” That led to his delivery of a lengthy and detailed description the U.S. role in the many-layered Syrian conflict — with pointed reference to the focal city of Aleppo — and its deadly crossfire of allegiances.

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Governor Gary Johnson, Libertarian nominee for President, speaks to a packed audience inside the Great Hall at University of Colorado South Denver campus on October 3, 2016 Parker, Colorado. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Helen H. Richardson