Posted on 03/29/2011 1:29:59 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Last weekend, my dinner partner, a self-described "Theodore Roosevelt Republican, very disturbed and discouraged by the Tea Party movement," detailed for me the reasons Jon Huntsman Jr. could not win the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. "He is intelligent, attractive, has proven leadership credentials as a businessman and former governor, and would be best suited to take on Obama in a general election. So, of course, our party won't nominate him."
Joking aside, rumors about the current U.S. ambassador to China (he is resigning that post effective April 31) and his future plans have the Washington chattering class buzzing. The entity currently formed in Utah—Horizon PAC—appears to be setting the stage for Huntsman should he decide to jump in. Operatives working with Horizon PAC are quick to point out that the entity has no personal affiliation with Huntsman whatsoever. There is no reason to doubt them, as any political communication with the ambassador would prove a serious violation of the Hatch Act. Horizon PAC is helmed by the sometimes controversial political strategist John Weaver (full disclosure, Weaver is a friend and former colleague) who ran John McCain's 2000 presidential bid. Those prepping a Huntsman run are hoping to fill what they view as a gaping void in the GOP field: a serious but thoughtful conservative who can pull America back to the center right.
The book on Huntsman is brief but solid: successful businessman, youngest ambassador in U.S. history (age 29—Singapore), two-term governor of Utah and current ambassador to China. Like Mitt Romney, he is Mormon but doesn’t wear his religion on his sleeve. Politically, he is already being lambasted by the far right for his stances on climate change and same-sex unions during his gubernatorial tenure. Huntsman allies are quick to point out he is a solid fiscal conservative who also happens to be progun and prolife, and he possesses foreign policy credentials the rest of GOP field desperately lacks. Many speculate, however, that his religion and political views may not be as steep a hurdle as the post he currently occupies.
The Obama electoral machine—themselves no political neophytes—recognized the threat of Huntsman so early that they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. That Huntsman accepted was no surprise—he is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and the businessman in him recognized that diplomacy and commerce with China are among the biggest issues facing America in the 21st century. That he resigned to (presumably) run against his old boss makes him either a Brutus or a political genius—depending on who you ask. Primary opponents will likely pepper Huntsman with questions about and accusations of party loyalty: "How could you work for Obama in China?" Huntsman's best retort would acknowledge his service head on: "If you mean dealing directly with our largest trading partner and the globe's only other superpower, the question I ask you is, 'How could I not work for Obama in China?'"
The primary strategy for Huntsman will, not surprisingly, likely look much like it did for McCain in 2000 and 2008. Stay away from evangelical and agricultural Iowa (a media report today indicated Huntsman intended to do just that), bet the house on New Hampshire, and hope that a Granite State win, coupled with a dwindling field of Republican candidates, propels him into South Carolina, Florida, and Super Tuesday.
If Huntsman is to enter the race, he will need to get to work quickly upon returning from Asia. Many GOP political operatives and, perhaps more importantly, fundraising commitments, have already been carved up amongst the field. Presumably, Weaver and his team are plowing those rows as we speak.
In a political era defined by activist Tea Party populism, Huntsman’s calm and directed demeanor doesn’t place him as the odds-on favorite for the Republican nomination. Huntsman may not have the vicious tongue and damning rhetoric necessary to appease the red meat base this go-around. If the gamble works, however, the only group more afraid of a Huntsman candidacy than the far right would be those mapping out the president’s re-election in Chicago.
(VIDEO AT LINK)
Why would he be a poor choice for president?
A. China is doing all the manufacturing that we should be doing. Jon Huntsman has been Ambassador to China. Why did he want that job? Because China is the SECOND world power? China is a communist country which consistently violates human rights for economic gain. But it sounds like Jon just likes the language and the culture and all the pretty sites--right? I mean his daddy is a ga-jillion-aire, he wouldn't be the least bit interested in the types of financial gains available to individuals who are willing to sell their soul to do business with this communist country.
B. Tied to Obama and McCain? Can you shout PROGRESSIVE loud enough?? There's no way to wash that stain off.
C. Mormon? Yes, I will say it out loud. The Mormon faith at its heart is no more a Christian faith than Islam. Christian faith recognizes Christ as the Son of God who was in the beginning with God and was God. Not an alien life form wrapped in pretty and deceptive language.
D. So, you don't care about the gay marriage stuff, but I, and many others, do. Get this. Besides the fact that the homosexual sex act is an abomination to God and those who practice it, are practicing abomination, procreation belongs to heterosexuals. If you aren't religious, surely you do care about the survival of our species?
E. You have compared anti-tax and pro-business with anti-abortion for reasons for me to vote for this guy. So you are saying to me that I SHOULD BE CONSIDERING ALL THE MONEY I COULD MAKE...and, too, little babies won't get murdered quite so much. Wow! Well, my conscience will be all clean then!
F. Anybody who gives one ounce of consideration to the whole climate change garbage deserves no serious thought for a leadership role. Period. It has been conclusively proven to be faulty science brought about for the purposes of financial gain. Glenn Beck, Jon's Fellow Mormon, proved that himself.
If you want someone who thinks just like you, then run yourself. You may get two votes.
Quite an extreme statement about what I want when you don't even know me, huh? Cute attempt to befuddle, but really? Please do better next time.
Loosing is never a great ride.
**LOsing** ride...now that's a ride you might just be on if you continue this way of thinking.
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.