I’m not asking about Michelle Bachmann, I’m asking about Jon Huntsman and I still can’t find anyone that can answer that question for me.
Well there is no substitute for patience. This is Day 1 and a year and a half going forward until the elections. Even if he was a glorified messenger, which I’m sure is far from the truth, doesn’t change that this is a man that is conservative, right on the issues, AND has a sterling resume (the experience, and accomplishments)—not to mention the big Republican money behind him—to actually win.
To get back to the question, I did read somewhere (Wash Post?) that Huntsman was apparently frustrated at his lack of influence after 2 years on the job, which ties into the need to get things together on the home front before any serious progress can be made towards making the US more competitive and building a business alliance with the Chinese.
He had planned to wait for a presidential run in 2016 but saw a relatively weak Republican field and jumped at the chance to make a real impact this cycle. Frankly I doubt it is much more complicated than that.