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Libertarian VP Candidate Weld Urges Voters To Reject Trump

BOSTON (AP) — Libertarian vice presidential candidate William Weld is urging voters torn between major-party presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to reject Trump.

Weld offered a blistering critique of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, saying that while he has demonstrated charisma and panache he also has shown an inability to handle criticism, conjured up enemies and stirred up envy, resentment and group hatred, demonstrating "the worst of American politics."

Weld, a former Republican Massachusetts governor, said in a statement Tuesday that the possibility of Trump winning on Election Day makes him fear for the well-being of the country.

"When challenged, he often responds as a child might. He makes a sour face, he calls people by insulting names, he waves his arms, he impatiently interrupts," Weld said. "Most families would not allow their children to remain at the dinner table if they behaved as Mr. Trump does."

In the statement, Weld made no mention of Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, instead training his criticism on the nominee for his former party.

"I have come to believe that Donald Trump, if elected president of the United States, would not be able to stand up to this pressure and this criticism without becoming unhinged and unable to perform competently the duties of his office," Weld said.

Weld also appeared to acknowledge the increasingly long-shot chances of Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson, a former Republican New Mexico governor, winning the White House.

"Gary and I will carry our message of fiscal responsibility, social inclusion and smaller government through November 8, and I hope that this election cycle will secure for the Libertarian Party a permanent place in our national political dialogue," said Weld, who thanked Johnson for picking him as a running mate.

Weld also said the deck is still stacked even against a credible third-party ticket with two proven former governors.

"We are making strides toward breaking the two-party monopoly," Weld added, "and America will be stronger when we do."

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