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You are, of course, completely correct, coffeehays. Nobody is going to find a candidate they agree with on 100% of the issues. People should ignore (as best they can) the media’s fascination with labels, and make their own mind up.

Jon Huntsman is a talented guy with a remarkable record. To merely dismiss him as a ‘RINO’ is unfair and not consistent with the facts. If people disagree with him on Civil Unions (he agrees with George W Bush on this essentially) or Climate Change (ditto Newt Gingrich) or the fact that he worked as an Ambassador under the current Administration (he also worked for Reagan, HW Bush and W Bush) then that is fair enough. But there is also this:

A strong Pro-Life record. Huntsman signed pro-life laws as Utah Governor. Unlike Romney, Huntsman has been CONSISTENTLY pro-life.

Superb record on Gun Rights. He expanded the rights of Utah gun owners and abolished some concealed-carry restrictions.

Signed the largest tax cut in Utah history.

A successful governor of Utah. The state was hailed as Number 1 in job creation (Romney’s was ranked 47th) and the Pew Center named it ‘The Best Managed State in the Country’ under Huntsman’s tenure.

The only candidate in the Republican race with active foreign policy experience. There was a machiavellian reason, in my opinion, why Obama appointed Huntsman as ambassador to China - to get him out of the 2012 race. Well, that has backfired. He’s back and more qualified than ever. If Huntsman wins the nomination, then Obama is finished.

So, don’t vote for Huntsman, and certainly ridicule him and his positions whenever you wish, but the guy is clearly a Republican. A successful Republican too. A Republican that scares the hell out of Obama.

I don’t think he has a shot at the nomination, but I think Rick Perry supporters, in particular, should hope that Huntsman does well in New Hampshire and wounds Romney there. His numbers are creeping up in the Granite State.