Taking gloves off on GOP frontrunner, Jon Huntsman smacks Mitt — in Mandarin!

SFGate: Politics Blog ^ | 1/8/12 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[SmithL]

What was going through the minds of the GOP candidates Saturday night when they engaged in a circular firing squad — and largely gave GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney the kid glove treatment at the big televised ABC debate? As California Democratic campaign consultant Bob Mulholland laughingly told us afterwards (he got a ticket to sit in the debate hall at St. Anselm College): “What was wrong with these guys? If any one of them had punched him out, they would have made the headline of the night.”

Yeah, well, move along, there’s nothing to see here. The guy who showed the most moxie, and the most debate chops when it came to that front, was former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

When Romney jabbed him for working with the Obama Administration (and apparently for trying to talk up relations with China), Huntsman bounded back with a zinger — in fluent Mandarin. The media filing center erupted: finally, some real (bilingual) fireworks!

[Leep]

Maybe Huntsman was asking Mitt to pick him as his VP in Manderin?
Anyone know what he actually said?

[skinkinthegrass]

Maybe Huntsman was asking Mitt to pick him as his VP in Manderin? Anyone know what he actually said//////
LOL! 8)

[TEXOKIE]

I’d be interested to know also what he said.

[Illuminatas]

Maybe he is a HUGE Firefly fan?

[Redmen4ever]

Mitt’s not bad in French, either (where he did his mission). And, George W. is pretty good in Spanish. Why is it that many top Republicans are bilingual, and the interloper in the White House, who lectures us on knowing foreign languages, doesn’t know a foreign language (well, unless you count English as his foreign language).

[fantom]

“I’d be interested to know also what he said” He said ,i am insane , now let me prove it to the 5 dopes watching this fiasco.

[Mycroft Holmes]

Maybe he is a HUGE Firefly fan?

I think you have the way of it.

[JIM O]

The only time I watch Huntsman is when he is on with his daughters, and even then I turn the volume off.

[skinkinthegrass]

*SNICKER* LOL! Firefly pilot on SCIENCE Channel (284 :) @ 9pm/12am

[chuckee]

First time I heard “hold the eggroll” in Chinese in a debate.

[exhaustedmomma]

I think he said you don't understand [in other words, you don't know what you're talking about]

However, some Tulane professor on twitter said it was the equivalent of Who Dat???... fwiw.

[poindexter]

Huntsman bounded back with a zinger — in fluent Mandarin.

Now THAT'S what I call being in touch with the common man! Too bad Huntsman's common man lives in China.

[skinkinthegrass]

First time I heard “hold the eggroll” in Chinese in a debate./////
LOL!
or hold the, MSG!

[skinkinthegrass]

Who Dat?////
LOL! ..in Eonbonics!

[Fresh Wind]

Something about saving money with GEICO?

[manic4organic]

O knows the Muslim call to prayer in Arabic. Does that count?

[Stonewall Jackson]

Somewhat like this?

[Jack Hydrazine]

Does he even speak Ebonics?

[BusterBear]

Ooh wow! I’m so impressed. Imagine - a Presidential candidate who speaks Mandarin! He’s got my vote.

Well, at least the ditzy reporter was impressed. Somewhat like going ga-ga over the crease in Obama’s pants.