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The Manchurian Candidate (Jon Huntsman hints about 2012 run)
Newsweek ^ | January 1, 2011 | McKay Coppins

Posted on 01/01/2011 8:47:52 AM PST by Hawk720

...The moderate Republican had once been considered a rising star in the GOP and a likely 2012 contender, with David Plouffe, Barack Obama’s campaign mastermind, even identifying Huntsman as the only Republican who made him “a wee bit queasy” about the next race. But speculation ended abruptly in 2009 when Obama tapped Huntsman for the ambassadorship. National pundits called the appointment a shrewd move by the White House to sideline a potential rival, and then promptly forgot about him—which is probably why last fall’s Beehive State buzz was drowned out on the national stage by the noise of the midterms.

Now, it appears, the ambassador is ready to make some noise of his own. Sitting in the echo-y living room of his new Washington home, Huntsman, a tall, lean man with silver hair and impeccable posture, pauses only briefly when faced with the question of presidential aspirations. “You know, I’m really focused on what we’re doing in our current position,” he says. “But we won’t do this forever, and I think we may have one final run left in our bones.” Asked whether he is prepared to rule out a run in 2012 (since it would require him to campaign against his current boss), he declines to comment.

The winking response—about as close to a hat-in-ring announcement as you’ll get from a sitting member of the incumbent’s administration—could just be a hollow cry for attention. But sources close to Huntsman (who requested anonymity to speak freely without his permission) say that during his December trip to the U.S., he met with several former political advisers in Washington and Salt Lake City to discuss a potential campaign.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bennett; hatch; hellno; huntsman
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To: NoGrayZone

As I said, “good quick way”. Sometimes there are even references for more direct info.


81 posted on 01/01/2011 2:44:36 PM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Technological progress cannot be legislated.)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

He will be the media darling as a ‘new, progressive kind of republican’ simply because he supports gay marriage.


82 posted on 01/01/2011 3:00:30 PM PST by rintense (The GOP elite & friends can pound sand.)
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To: uscabjd

>> Candidates don’t have to mirror my every belief to get my vote <<

Not sure the Mormon-bashers hereabouts would agree with you!


83 posted on 01/01/2011 4:57:37 PM PST by Hawthorn
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To: GBA
According to Dream Theater's website, Huntsman is a keyboard player. Huntsman also joined REO Speedwagon on the piano for two songs during their concert at the Utah State Fair on September 16, 2005.

Great. From what I'm reading here, he can have a jam session with Mike Huckabee and let the conservatives run for President.

84 posted on 01/01/2011 5:01:31 PM PST by Colonel_Flagg ("I'd rather lose fighting for the right cause than win fighting for the wrong cause." - Jim DeMint)
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