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 ...
Well, let's see: last fall most Freepers were crying for my virtual head because I refused to support that RINO POS McCain. And you wonder why I'm "paranoid" about zots. *hmph*
I beg to differ.
The most important issue, not just of our time, but of the last century, has been the expansion of size and scope of our Federal Government beyond its Constitutional boundaries.
A bankrupt nation will be unable to defend itself against enemies.
It's too bad that both parties aided and abetted the growth of Government...and that, at times, conservatives just stood by and applauded.
That made him the best-placed moderate Republican to challenge for the 2012 presidential nomination.
HUH?
Are you insane. NOMODERATE in 2010 or2012.If the GOPis towin any elections they have to return tobe REAL AMERICANS and not EUROPEAN LITE SOCIALIST...
Huntsman is also a member of LDS (a Mormon), as is Romney, as we all know.
And since Romney’s religion was such a huge topic in ‘08 (not to me, but to “the masses”, apparently), what makes the MSM think that Huntsman’s would have been any less of an issue? How could they possibly deem him a frontrunner?
If the guy is such a RINO that he accepted 0’s job offer for this ambassadorship, then good riddance! Even Judd Craig had the sense to turn down an appointment to an administration that is so far to the left.
I don’t know if Duncan Hunter was a great candidate per se, but he would have been the best POTUS!
GOP looks over bought to me.
So, who would you vote for? Another Democrat in a conservative costume? Look at what that has gotten us. I guess it's true - conservatives are stupid enough to espouse conservative values, but not to vote like they mean it.
Palin would make a great conservative president.
we are well free of them.
What do you think someone has to be, to be a "stronger candidate alternative"? What are you looking for here? A minimum of a master's degree in poli sci from Georgetown?
Do you let ink-stained wretches of the partisan press tell you who can be a candidate?
He selected a ‘moderate’ (stands for nothing) to be HIS ambassador. Did you hear the gushing acceptance speech by the good governor? It was sickening.
Thank you Obama! We have moderate Republicans on sale now for a dime a dozen. Take 30 or 40 dozen, PLEASE!
I don’t know whether you are right about her winning or not, but I don’t think her supporters are delusional—and I am certain that a wonk—who is almost always devoid of charisma—isn’t winning the Presidency.
This guy must be drinking Obama's bong water.
Cheers!
vote for the GOP ticket to give Palin a leg up.
If you think Palin is a long shot, Paul doesn't have a chance in Hell.
Cheers!
Troll, troll, troll your post
Gently down the thread
You haven't said who you support
What was that you said?
“Many on here, however, are living in their own little world where Palin is somehow popular with not just conservatives but most Americans.”
Neither was Reagan, prior to the Summer of 1980 - he was considered a reactionary who would start World War 3. If fact the Democrats were praying for him to win the nomination...so Carter could walk into a second term.
The media did everything possible to assure Reagan would lose...but they still couldn’t overcome Carter.
Thank you, Barack. Keep picking off the RINOs.
“Top Republican?”
yet one more Rino, like Romney, like Harry Reed. They breed
Rinos out there on the Midwestern plains...
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