Posted on 05/17/2009 12:42:35 AM PDT by Schnucki
This is a very clever move by President Barack Obama. He's chosen Governor Jon Huntsman of Utah as his ambassador to China.
A Republican, former ambassador to Singapore and fluent Mandarin speaker, Huntsman has recently staked out centrist stances on gay rights, climate change and stimulus spending. He'd made clear his contempt for the Republican congressional leadership, saying: "I have not met them. I don't listen or read whatever it is they say because it is inconsequential - completely."
That made him the best-placed moderate Republican to challenge for the 2012 presidential nomination. By any analysis, at this stage a 2012 Republican victory looks like an uphill struggle. Mitt Romney - a former moderate who's now positioned himself firmly on the Right - is probably the front runner with governors Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota also likely to run.
Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana appears to be biding his time until 2016 while the soap opera storyline of Sarah Palin;s family and her virtual estrangement from the national GOP make her look a long shot.
Huntsman probably calculated that he would not win in 2012 even if he did manage to secure the nomination. Much better, he would have reasoned, to wait out 2012, gain some major foreign policy experience while not being linked to Obama's domestic policies and have a chance in 2016.
Like the Conservative party in Britain after 1997, it looks to be a long road back for Republicans so taking a time out is likely to be a shrewd decision for someone like Huntsman.
What does Obama gain? It's a concrete example of bipartisanship, he peels off a Republican moderate and therefore shifts the party's centre of gravity further to the Right - which is where Democrats want it),
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
“the soap opera storyline of Sarah Palin’s family and her virtual estrangement from the national GOP make her look a long shot.”
How do these beasts sleep at night knowing how many lies they propagate?
“That made him the best-placed moderate Republican to challenge for the 2012 presidential nomination. By any analysis, at this stage a 2012 Republican victory looks like an uphill struggle. “
Good. Put him in China. Clears the field for a conservative.
I never heard of this guy Huntsman. He must be quite a frontrunner.
oooooh, such a clever move, inspector Clouseau. As if Huntsman had any chance at all. Whoopeee doo.
>>How do these beasts sleep at night knowing how many lies they propagate?<<
Not to mention being ambassador to China under President Ford didn’t exactly hurt President Bush41.
Huntsman is a RINO. Loves his gay marriage if memory serves.
Huntsman would have a snowmans chance in hell.
An unknown lib.
From the Real Conservative Republican
Univ wrong to place prestige above principle “Palin weighs in”
Boston Herald ^ | 05-17-09 | Holly Robichaud
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, a strong pro-life advocate, weighed in on the issue with me by e-mail:
“My favorite grandpa, Clem James Sheeran, was Catholic. Irish to the core, his favorite place (other than church) was Notre Dame.
I can’t imagine what he would think as the university recognizes someone who contradicts the core values of the Catholic faith by promoting an anti-life agenda.
As we learned today, our nation is more pro-life than ever before; it is a very important time to strengthen the message that every baby is created for good purpose and has the potential to make this world a better place.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1172807
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...
I don’t agree with the nastiness around Palin.
However, I don’t want her anywhere near the nomination in 2012 or 2016 or ever. She is not a strong conservative policy wonk. There are many stronger candidate alternatives.
Fortunately, leaders make stronger candidates than wonks.
There is no stronger candidate than Gov. Palin.
She is a policy person, and the experience to prove it.
Non of the other candidates drew crowds like she did, and gave her speech at the convention without a teleprompter as it broke earlier.
And of the three, the only actual conservative is Sanford.
Huntsman is doing the Dark Lord’s work, he’s come to destroy the Republican party.
Anyone who think Palin has a prayer of winning the Whitehouse for the GOP is delusional at best.
I won’t argue. There is simply zero chance she will ever be a GOP nominee, let alone the POTUS.
I was excited about her too when she was picked as the VP candiate. Don’t get me wrong. She was treated unfairly and all that. However, I won’t be voting for her in the GOP primary battle.
I never heard of this guy. Given what I read about him in this article, I am so thankful he became an Obama bot.
I don’t want him any where near the GOP primary race or the GOP for that matter.
Centrist? Who the hell needs one?
When a leftist like Obama can lie through and win an election, why can’t a right wing candidate?
Gov. Palin is the true conservative, also believes in fighting the war against the IslamOfascists.
Her oldest son is fighting in Iraq.
Sandy like RINO Paul is not a believer in Fighting this war.
“the soap opera storyline of Sarah Palin’s family and her virtual estrangement from the national GOP make her look a long shot.”
HA! Keep telling yourselves that Palin hater/deriders.
You really don’t have a clue about her background or her daily work as gov. or you wouldn’t make the comment
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.