Jon Huntsman plans to enter the Republican 2012 Presidential contest today. His entry seems to indicate an unwillingness to cede the nomination to Mitt Romney from the insider branch of the party. Right now, he is the media darling candidate, similar to McCain in 2000. It is unclear at this point what his support is among grass-roots voters.
Biography – He has a long history of working in Presidential administrations, having served for each President since Reagan, with the exception of Clinton. Huntsman was a White House staff assistant for Reagan, Ambassador to Singapore under Bush 41, Deputy Trade Representative for Bush 43, and Ambassador to China under Obama. In 2004, Huntsman was elected Governor of Utah and was re-elected in 2008.
His father, Jon Huntsman Sr., is a major Republican mover and shaker, and the owner of Huntsman Corporation. Huntsman dropped out of high school to play keyboard in a rock band; later, he received a GED and got a college degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Assets – As I wrote earlier, Huntsman seems to be the flavor of the month in the media. This probably reflects the uneasiness with the other insider candidate, Romney, and the inability of any other mainstream candidate to gain traction. As well, he has an economic record that makes him acceptable to the CFG, having cut taxes and developing a business-friendly environment while Governor of Utah.
He also has a record while Governor of being pro-life and loosened gun regulations in the state. Because of his resume of being an ambassador in two Asian states, he has a knowledge of foreign affairs that exceeds that of the other candidates, with the possible exception of Michelle Bachmann. Finally, he has the support of Glenn Beck. Although this is unlikely to help him in primary states, Beck has a devoted core of followers that may help Huntsman in caucus states.
Deficiencies – Huntsman, as was written earlier, was Ambassador to China under Obama. It’s hard to imagine how Republican primary voters will find this very appealing in many parts of the country. He, like Romney, is one of the elites in the Church of Latter-day Saints. In some regions of the nation, where religion remains important, this is problematic.
Huntsman has developed an eclectic mix of positions that would seem to make it easy for other Republicans in the field to attack him. He supports civil unions for gays, providing him support from Log Cabin Republicans. He intends to run a campaign where he refrains from attacking Obama personally, instead pointing out a difference in economic policies. He has called for an end, or at least a reduction, in our involvement in Afghanistan, leading the Neo-Cons to go after his candidacy, before he has even announced.
Campaign – Huntsman, right now, since so many of the other mainstream candidates have decided not to challenge either Romney or Obama, and the demise of Pawlenty’s candidacy, becomes one of the two mainstream finalists in the Republican race. Like Romney, he has decided not to contest the Iowa contest, ostensibly because he opposes ethanol subsidies.
Instead, he probably intends to throw all of his resources into New Hampshire, hoping to defeat Mitt there. Since Mitt’s support nationally is thought to be shallow, this may portend the financial base of the party to switch their support to him.
June 21st, 2011 at 5:58 am
Another one-world government globalist. The fact that he is CFR is a big no, because that means he will continue the RINO/leftist agenda.
June 21st, 2011 at 7:37 am
He has the best chance of beating Obama; in fact he may have a better result in the general election than within his own party.
An ad from Rick Santorum already ran this morning about his failure to sign the Susan B. Anthony list.
He will also be questioned about his stance on the Ryan plan.
Additionally, he has to placate the religious right that views the Mormons as members of a cult.
The Republican Party has a lot of “litmus tests” that tend to weaken their support for any given candidate.
There are, in reality, two primaries taking place, one for the Republican Party and one for the Tea Party.
I am sure an accord will eventually be reached, but Huntsman is the most viable candidate in a general election.
It will be up to the GOP to not eviscerate a candidate that may well be their candidate.
Democrats don’t fear Romney and welcome any ticket with Bachmann on it, but Huntsman is a formidable opponent.
The question is, will he be vigorously supported by all members of the party?
Will they help raise funds?
Will they demand a “Tea Party” VP that has a significantly different platform?
This should be interesting.
June 21st, 2011 at 7:49 am
Some one has to figure out how to approach/campaign on the corn subsidies thing.
Iowa is gonna come up eventually.
Even though Barry says hes gonna end their subsidies I find it hard to believe anyone wants to lose Iowa, Ohio, etc.
Most on the right think the whole ethanol thing stinks but does any GOP candidate want to pi$$ off farm country right now ?
I got an idea, why dont we subsidize corn farmers to use it for food instead ? We’ll still pay the same taxes towards a subsidization but it’ll bring down prices at the market considerably.
Republicanmom, I think Arriba mentioned “CFG”, not “CFR”
I dont know what either one is.
How is he a globalist/RINO ?
I ask only because I dont know enough about this guy yet, never heard of him til recently.
I’m a conservative who supports civil unions but not gay marriage, does that make me a RINO ?
Huntsmans dad does pretty much stand for the core conservative individual entrepreneur who worked his way up without public dole
June 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
micky,
cfg = club for growth
cfr = council for foreign relations
they’re both pretty awful groups with a ton of influence
June 21st, 2011 at 8:12 am
CFR doesnt seem to make a globalist, just gives em decent foreign relations I would think.
June 21st, 2011 at 9:04 am
Wow, whats up with Newts team ?
Whole nuther handful just quit.
Think its time he gave it up.
June 21st, 2011 at 9:50 am
Newt should never have gotten into the race.
June 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am
I disagree, Andy. I think that his campaign is a useful fable for all of us. Sort of a useful example of ‘pride goeth before the fall.’