Politics

Huntsman Defends Working for Obama: ‘I Will Always Put My Country First’

GOP presidential contender Jon Huntsman on Sunday defended working for President Barack Obama as ambassador to China and blasted rival Mitt Romney for criticizing his service to his country.

Going back to an exchange the two had a mere 10 hours earlier during Saturday’s GOP debate, Huntsman told Romney he’ll always put his country first, no matter who’s in the White House.

“I was criticized last night by Governor Romney for putting my country first,” Huntsman said during Sunday’s debate. “I just want to remind the people here in New Hampshire and throughout the United States that” — he was interrupted by applause — “he criticized me while he was out raising money for serving my country in China, yes under a Democrat, like my two sons who are in the United States Navy. They’re not asking what the affiliation of the president is. I want to be clear…I will always put my country first. I think that’s important.”

But Romney didn’t back down, saying he believes it’s best to serve the country by standing for people who support conservative principles.

“I just think it’s most likely that the person who should represent our party running against President Obama is not someone who called him a ‘remarkable leader’ and went to be his ambassador in China.”

Drawing another round of applause, Huntsman replied, “This country is divided because of attitudes like that.”

The exchange was a continuation of Huntsman and Romney’s discussion of U.S.-China relations Saturday when, during one of the most memorable moments of the debate, Huntsman briefly broke into Mandarin — prompting Romney to throw up his hands and say he was “lost.”

Comments (99)

1 2
  • Rob
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:48pm

    Huntsman was part of the socialsts regime… I won’t vote for him.

    Report Post »  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:50pm

      Nor I

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
    • txwheels
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 2:01pm

      You’re absolutely right. By accepting the position from Odumbo it shows beyond doubt, that Huntsman doesn’t have our countries best interest as a goal!

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 2:45pm

      I am voting for Huntsman over Obama.

      I might even for for Ron Paul over Obama, but I will never vote for Obama.

      Report Post »  
    • Romney-Rubio 2012
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 2:51pm

      (I posted this earlier but it needs to be said again)

      HUNTSMAN IS NO CONSERVATIVE PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST, JUST HIMSELF…

      Well funny isn’t it that he left the state of Utah behind, his constituents, after newly being re-elected to take a position that would make him more viable as a Presidential candidate. That is putting self over country and people. In Utah, we conservatives tried to take out Huntsman in the primary but he barely was elected. He won by a landslide in the general because he had the majority of democrats vote for him over their own candidate.

      Most of his accomplishments came from a Republican majority in the legislature and not because of him. He was also in favor of the individual mandate. He can’t take much of the credit for what happened that was conservative in Utah. That is why Romney beats him in the Utah polls almost double over Huntsman. His own constituents don’t trust Huntsman to be a conservative.

      If you missed either of the debates, they are replaying at: http://url2it.com/lejc

      Report Post »  
    • drattastic
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 3:24pm

      Every time Huntsman opens his mouth I hear PHONY. How the lib media love this guy too (for now).

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • cosette
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 3:57pm

      He’ll always put his country first? Even when it means being in league with the devil? That’s a deal breaker.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 9:27pm

      While Huntsman and some others in the GOP put country first, it is clears that the GOP leadership is governed by their fear of the Tea Party instead of the what is best for the country. The Tea Party only cares about the issues their masters tell them to care about. The Tea Party only care about false christian conservatism, about tax breaks for millionaires and Israel’s safety.

      Report Post »  
    • cosette
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:19am

      John Huntsman, Dec 28, 2011 “Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents”. We already have a condescending, arrogant leftist in the white house. John Huntsman- SSDD!

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:29am

      democratic manchurian candidate

      Report Post »  
    • glennisright.com
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 3:03am

      I would vote for Elmer Fudd over Obama.

      Report Post » glennisright.com  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 3:42pm

      @Ranger Dan,

      Honor Killing in the bible:

      And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire, Lev 21:9
      And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. Exodus 21:17

      For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. Leviticus 20:9

      But if this charge is true (that she wasn’t a virgin on her wedding night), and evidence of the girls virginity is not found, they shall bring the girl to the entrance of her fathers house and there her townsman shall stone her to death, because she committed a crime against Israel by her unchasteness in her father’s house. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. Deuteronomy 22:20-21

      Report Post »  
  • One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:38pm

    This guy is very smart and knows China inside out, but he really does have a snarky, better than the rest attitude about it. He’s just like the lefties who condescend down to everyone (in their own minds), he just projects that upper crust image a little too much for my taste frankly.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 1:15pm

      @dessentnow

      It’s a Paulistinian tactic that is used daily on this website. It‘s fine with you if it’s your viewpoint but a bad thing if someone else with another viewpoint uses it. Hypocrite!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 2:19pm

      ONE MAN: I agree. He does have a “better than” air about him and he seems very animated. Like he’s acting a part. Aside from that, I don’t see much difference between him and Obama. I don’t have a candidate yet but I know for sure it is not Huntsman.

      Report Post »  
    • dissentnow
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 6:43pm

      @Rational
      I never said that i agree with the pro-Paul folks when they use that tactic. I support Paul. I was even a precinct leader for his 2008 campaign but i would never spam a website with nonsense. Thats really not my style. My point is that the very same people who cry about paul’s people trolling do the exact same thing.
      Again, who is the hypocrite here?

      Report Post »  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:31pm

    Failure of a career politician named Ron Paul

    Paul, who has served 11 terms in three different stages dating back to 1976, didn’t get a single law passed until 2009, when he authored a bill that allowed for the sale of a customs house in Galveston, Texas. Failure is often the norm in Congress, where only 4 percent of proposed bills get a President’s signature, but Paul’s approach to lawmaking is particularly suited to not getting things done.

    Of the 620 bills sponsored by Ron Paul during his long career in the House of Representatives, only four have ever made it to a vote on the House floor and only one of those became an actual law. An analysis by The Washington Post shows that Paul’s success rate of 0.2 percent falls far below that of most legislators, as Paul has chosen to stand up for his personal crusades, rather that build coalitions for more popular, but less ambitious, proposals.

    http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/ron-pauls-long-record-glorious-failures-congress/46661/

    Report Post » Rational Man  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:36pm

      “At a military reunion near Jacksonville, Florida veterans of the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing Security Forces recently gathered. Food and beverages flowed as did the special camaraderie between men and women who’ve served together in uniform. There were remembrances of those who had passed on, lots of back slapping, and “war stories.” Many in the unit had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was obvious that all were genuinely proud to have served and would serve again willingly in a second. These men and women have every reason to be proud.

      However, they and every veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also have every reason to feel insulted by presidential candidate and U.S. Congressman Ron Paul. Paul has been heavily criticized for his foreign policy views and past incendiary racist comments made in his newsletter. Almost lost in this din are his repeated characterizations of the wars as “illegal.” These statements are a personal affront to every veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

      The attempts by Congressman Ron Paul to build his political power base by criticizing the wars may be good politics. But doing so by erroneously calling the wars illegal is an attempt to build his base at the expense of the honor of our troops. That is wrong. Our veterans are neither criminals nor dishonorable for having served.”

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • dissentnow
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:51pm

      Its funny that the anti-Paul folks constantly cry about how the pro-Paul people flood every message board with irrelevant post about Ron Paul and yet it seems that the anti-Paul people do the exact same thing. Ok, so it’s not really all that funny; more like pathetic.
      Grow up, children

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Ron Paul has all the psychological make-up of a politician that if he doesn’t get his way in a certain organization, he would have no qualms or vestiges of fidelity and trust that would stop him from bolting to another format that will serve his purposes. Ron Paul is running as a Republican, not because he feels any union with the Republican Party, but because for now it serves his purposes. It gives him the national stage to expose his views. He knows very well that the likelihood of being the Republican nominee is scant. But where else would he have gotten the exposure of all those debates and now of all those primaries?

      Ron Paul Ron Paul is not a patriot as his followers make him out to be. A man that is a Patriot, and who knows the destructive powers of the Obama presidency, will never in his heart serve up a second term to that same man on a silver platter. No, Ron Paul is not an American Patriot, he is a Ron Paul “patriot” (in minuscule’s). A man one-third scheming-politician, one-third dreamer, one-third on the margins of reason.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 4:18pm

      Ratman
      Ron Paul has been busy defending The Constitution, your Freedoms and Liberties against bills like the Patriot Act and The National Defense Act .
      The Dr. also wrote or sponsored 620 bills.
      Which of the 620 did you not agree with? Which of the 620 did your Senators and Congressman vote for or vote against? Which of the 620 was unconstitutional? Oh, I’m assuming you read them. How stupid of me.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 4:20pm

      ratman
      While Ron Paul was not busy being a Career Politician, he was sloughing off becoming a
      Doctor of Medicine getting his degree from Duke University’s School of Medicine, then doing his
      medical internship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, after that he
      served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and then
      in the United States Air National Guard. In his spare time he became a
      obstetrics and gynecology, and then began his own private practice delivering over 4000 babies.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 4:21pm

      ratman
      Dr. Paul
      As a member of Congress, he continues to refuse to sign up for the government pension that he would be entitled to in order to avoid receiving government money, saying it would be “hypocritical and immoral.”[

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:55am

      Thank you for pointing out how Dr. Paul is not a part of the establishment and political culture of the corrupt in Washington. This is exactly why we need a man like this as President.

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
  • Goldi
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:27pm

    Huntsman is hurting his family’s good name! He comes across as snarky, and thinks he is smarter than anyone else. There is not a humorous bone in his body. I hate the fact that he goes after Romney with every fiber of his little vengeful self! How in the world, because Romney got the Olympics, is little jon so resentful?
    I‘m sorry Huntsman Sr it’s time to stop all this vengefulness and nasty rhetoric.
    I’m sure your son is a nice young man, so step back and look how he’s coming across. Maybe his advisors are not earning their pay! I think he was warned about the guy he entrusted, but he has always known better.

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:17pm

    Ah, you’re all heart, Jon!

    Report Post »  
  • Oraclevoiceofreason
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Huntsman quit his job as governor of Utah to go to China. He is a butt kisser and a closet democrat. He can not be trusted and would clearly be the last choice in this field of candidates

    Report Post » Oraclevoiceofreason  
  • gogogoff
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:11pm

    This debate was a joke, it was not a debate, it was everyone attack Romney.

    And I am sooo sick of JH jr, mr Cap and trade supporter.

    Report Post »  
  • fuzzy20841
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

    It he wanted to work for what’s best for the country he would not have worked for Obama! Cut from the same cloth. Single reason that I wouldn’t even consider him. Judd Greg should have been an example to him!

    Report Post »  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

    Huntsman “WORKS FOR OBAMA” alright –
    he backed a regional carbon market proposal and supported the Wall Street bailout and the Democrats’ economic stimulus package.

    Report Post »  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:06pm

    If it weren‘t for Huntsman’s billionaire father — he wouldn’t be on stage.

    Report Post »  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:05pm

    Huntsman’s Mandrain language was just to show off.
    Romney should have spoken back in French to show him what a nut he is. LOL

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Huntsman Defends Working for Obama: ‘I Will Always Put My Country First’
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    I know that John …. I‘m just not sure where your country is and if it’s the same as mine!

    Report Post »  
  • barackem
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Does serving your country include slobbering all over yourself to tell Obama how great he is? The Democrats love this guy. How can they not love him when he spends much of his time dissing and mischaracterizing the tea party and most of the GOP base at the same time he praises the most divisive president in our lifetimes. Chris Matthews and his biased crew of far left analysts are praising Huntsman up and down right now. It should make him very proud. The last time we had a presidential candidate who took every opportunity to dress down other GOP members while bragging about how he could work with the Dems, McCain got his sorry butt kicked by a president who quickly went on to dismiss him, telling him that ‘elections have consequences’. That is about the only time Obama has been right. Hopefully, we won’t be so foolish again with a presidential candidate.

    Report Post »  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:01pm

    The only one on that stage more liberal than Mitt Romney, is Huntsman!
    Check his history!

    Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

      Paul and Huntsman supposedly travel on two different ideological roads, but they often reach the same destination. Obama. One worked for him… the other continues to work for him.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Ron Paul the man who would never have voted for the Civil Rights Act, and did not want to give a medal to poor old Rosa Parks. Is that Martin Luther King as your avatar, or is just my eyes playing tricks on me?

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Hmmmm.

      “@timetoendyourlife” That wouldn’t be a threat now would it? Ron Paul supporters are far removed from that sorta’ thing… right? RIGHT?

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • lel2007
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:00pm

    I’m an ordinary Joe-citizen, and in 2007 I knew about the marxist socialist America hating community organizer. Why didn’t Huntsman (a profession politician)? The fact that Huntsman campaigned for obama tells me he’s either easily duped, stupid, a RINO, or all three. A republican campaigning for a democrat is enough to remove Huntsman from my list of preferred candidates.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • Pat Alexander
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:00pm

    My wife asked me if I thought Mitt won the debate. I said what debate? There was no debate. Just a rehash of the left’s regurgitated questions, and the usual stock answers compiled by focus groups.

    No one but Huntsman had anything new to say. I think he deserves a second look.

    But, Huntsman has a consistent conservative record. A vast amount of executive and foreign policy experience. Integrity, intelligence and next to no baggage.

    Obviously he is not qualified to be president…..

    Meanwhile, we are going to nominate someone that couldn’t even beat McCain and Huckabee.

    75% of the people in Iowa voted for someone other than Mittens.

    I hope we wake up before it’s too late.

    Report Post »  
    • lel2007
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:12pm

      Well maybe there’s some other potential candidates in the Democrat Party we should be taking a look at.

      Report Post » lel2007  
  • dissentnow
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:56am

    This moment had the ghouls over at MSNBC drooling all over Hunstman. For a second i thought that Chris Matthews was having another tingle episode.

    Report Post »  
    • THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:06pm

      they are drooling because the msm is hoping to push santorum higher even while santorums is falling…they ALL know Ron Paul has a good chance at this and they are using neocon ricky and neocon huntsman to distract from Ron Pauls message of Liberty.

      Report Post » THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE  
    • slr4528
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:07pm

      I know. My next question is why don’t supposed conservative blog sites like Red States and supposed conservative papers like the Wall Street Journal comment on Huntsman record of appeasing China,signing global warming cap and trade legislation in Utah,supporting instate tuition breaks for illegal aliens and driver licenses for illegal aliens. Huntsman also substantially increased government spending in conservative Utah. If Huntsman can do this in a conservative state,one can only imagine what he would do in a liberal state. Huntsman is no conservative. Romney was governor in the most liberal state in the country and he had his police enforce immigration law and Romney was the only northeast governor that did not sign cap and trade legislation.

      Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:56am

    It’s already written in Revelation that America will fail, are you going to prove God wrong? That would be a wonderful thing if you can, but I don’t think you have it in you.

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:02pm

      What kind of man would take a woman as a wife in that the woman finds more security in the number of objects surrounding her rather than finding security in her husband’s spirit?

      Report Post »  
  • mrfunn
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:54am

    “Huntsman Defends Working for Obama”
    Something must be bugging him . )

    Report Post »  
  • IMPEACHBHO
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:52am

    I plan on voting for who I like in the Primary, and who I have to in the General – whoever wins the Primary. I will NOT throw out my vote simply because we must throw out the dictator.

    Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
    • THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:02pm

      Oh I see, Your part of the sheeple that has been conditioned to think that voting for a canidate that brings REAL CHANGE is a wasted vote if that canidate is not the establishment puppet…You sure are stupid, If you thought through your dumb logic you would see why this country has been derailed..It‘s sheeple like you that don’t have a big enough pair to be a man and vote for what’s best for the country and not the establishment…you yellowbelly coward…

      Report Post » THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:32pm

      I am as far from a sheeple as you can imagine, and I’m more than willing to die for my country if I have to. I am also smart enough to gain position on my enemy before engaging. I am painfully aware that the country has been derailed. I am also aware that our last chance (and first step) is to to get BHO out in 2012. I will choose whoever I have to to make that happen. I said I would vote for who I like in the primary – Paul may or may not get my vote. If he wins, great! If not, then I will have to vote for someone else.

      If BHO wins, we all lose – and the sheeple will fall, but I will stand. If BHO is thrown out, a political revolution must take place to restore our constitution… If you cannot see this, then you are blind.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:49am

    What is Great about a people who decides on a President for the main reason of their perception of security in that the candidate promises to bomb someone? You’ll probably get that President that made that promise, and then that candidate will probably disappoint you by not bombing that nation.

    Report Post »  
  • NOBAMA201258
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:44am

    Why is this an issue? I would rather have Huntsman representing us in China than one of obama’s minions!

    Report Post »  
    • Tear Em Up
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:51am

      Sadly, he IS one of Obama’s minions….

      http://traffic.libsyn.com/mikeleeandterrymartin/Number_97_Jan._7th._2012.mp3

      Report Post » Tear Em Up  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:55am

      Huntsman is working for the same globalist (socialist) elite group, the Council on Foreign Relations that Obama does, and Bush(s) , Chaney, Clinton(s), my GoD why won’t people just VETTE people through the CFR search. They literally say they want one world government on the global governance page! And if that’s what you want GTFO of my country!
      Sorry, but times almost up on America, and idiotic statements and unwilling to educate themselves people just trip my trigger because I love my country, but I hate the socialists in governance, they ALL must go.

      Report Post »  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:04pm

      I agree. Keep Huntsman in China.

      Let someone, more conservative, become President.

      Report Post »  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

      What you gotta be on one side or the other and can’t work together?? Sort of silly isn’t it? I mean if it were that way then we’d get nothing done. The only thing that would bubble up would be more friction.

      So I’m a conservative and worked for many presidents…whatcha gonna do call me an independent. LOL

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • lel2007
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

      It matters because republicans are still in the process of selecting a candidate. Yes, we’ll vote for any other than obama, but why must we choose from the least desirable? Huntsman’s a bottom feeder. His plan all along was to lurk in the selection process waiting for the other contenders destroyed one another.

      Report Post » lel2007  
    • lel2007
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:29pm

      Let’s send Huntsman to China, he can report his progress to the President over a cell phone.

      Report Post » lel2007  
  • THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:43am

    ROMNEYCONS NUMBERS ARE FALLING…RON PAULS ARE STILL RISING…..

    A Suffolk University tracking poll released during the debate found Romney leading, at 35 percent, among likely GOP primary voters. But that marked an 8 point slide for Romney since last Tuesday, according to the pollsters.Romney was followed by Paul at 20 percent, Huntsman at 11 percent, Gingrich at 9 percent, Santorum at 8 percent and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 1 percent.

    Report Post » THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE  
  • copatriots
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:43am

    Go away already. Until Huntsman, I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to be more fake and polished than Romney. What do they do to these people as children that they turn out like that?

    Report Post »  
    • Phantom II
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 12:00pm

      He is so animated I actually don’t think he is a human being. It’s like watching those characters at Disney. Obama does a better job of acting than Huntsman or Romney, I’ll give him that. That’s the real reason Holywood loves him. These creatures have no soul. Our country is in deep trouble and yet we have a bunch of bums wanting to lead us further down the river. The next generation of politicians will even be worse because of their schooling. We are done.

      Report Post » Phantom II  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 8, 2012 at 11:41am

    Who’s Jon Huntsman ?

    Report Post »  
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