Johnson's background is in small business, where he grew a one man company into a multi-million dollar construction firm with over 1000 employees by the time he sold it in 1999. Johnson is also famed for his extensive participation in triathlons and climbing Mount Everest in 2003.
For Johnson the likelihood of his nomination will depend upon his ability to woo the conservative base. While he will undoubtedly win over fiscal conservatives, as well as those of a socially libertarian inclination, it will be the social conservatives, the party's mainstream, where most courtship needs to be done. His stances on marijuana and gay rights will be unpopular with them and this is before he expresses his views on the 3rd rail issue of abortion; which would likely be pro-choice considering his libertarian values.
Unfortunately for Johnson he may well be doomed to the fate of his libertarian forefathers, including Ron Paul, in that he won't be the nominee. Social conservatives currently compose the majority of registered Republican mainstream and grassroots and with their favoured politicians Huckabee, Gingrich, and possibly Palin, likely to run it would seem unlikely for Johnson to win them over despite his impressive political track record.
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