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.
Well there it is, the crux of the matter. You see him as a conservative and right on the issues, and I don't. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that.
Even the Progressives (which is only a euphemism for being a hard-core socialist, or communist, or social justice adherent) look at what he has done and see them as one of their own. So they believe him to have policies that are not conservative -- the first time I have ever agreed with a progressive on anything political, LOL. REPORT: Jon Huntsman’s Secret Life As A Progressive
Here are his non-conservative beliefs, in his own words.
He just doesn't sound conservative to me. Supporter of cap and trade, stimulus wasn't big enough, fawning over Obama, etc. Certainly he isn't as bad as Obama, but he is definitely to the left of center.
However, what you and I think, as individuals, isn't relevant. What is relevant is what the voting population thinks as a whole, and I'm not hearing overwhelming positives for this guy -- far from it -- the feedback I am getting is overwhelmingly negative. So not only do I not agree with him, I'm not the least bit worried about him, either.