Politics

(Updated) Obama Ambassador Jon Huntsman Submits Resignation for Possible Prez Run

The Washington Post is reporting that current U.S. Ambassador to China John Huntsman, Jr. will resign his post in order to possibly run against President Obama in 2012. Huntsman is the former Republican governor of Utah:

U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman (R) is expected to resign in possible preparation for a 2012 presidential campaign, White House officials say.

While Huntsman has been quiet about his own plans, the former Utah governor has assembled a team of political operatives and fundraisers who would help him rapidly ramp up if he decides to run. At a dinner Saturday night, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley jokingly referred to the ambassador as “the Manchurian Candidate.”

While Huntsman is considered a strong general election candidate, his service in President Obama’s administration could keep him from ever getting there. As President Obama himself quipped in a recent news conference: “I’m sure that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.”

The Obama comment regarding a Huntsman‘s candidacy came during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States two weeks ago:

As we noted previously, Huntsman hinted at a 2012 presidential run earlier this month in a Newsweek profile.

“You know, I’m really focused on what we’re doing in our current position,” he said at the time. “But we won’t do this forever, and I think we may have one final run left in our bones.”

UPDATE:

According to reports from Politico, Huntsman has sent President Obama his his letter of resignation:

In a letter hand-delivered to the White House, the former Utah governor said that he wants to return to the United States by May. The letter thanks Obama for the opportunity to serve the country and praises the U.S. embassy staff in Beijing.

If Huntsman won the GOP nomination, he would be challenging the reelection of his former boss. White House officials are furious at what they consider an audacious betrayal, but know that any public criticism would be likely to benefit Huntsman if he enters the primaries.

Comments (87)

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  • RobR
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 4:15pm

    Now if we could just convince the Ass Clown to resign and just run…….away, far, far away…..

    Report Post » Barack Must Go  
  • haunyocker
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 4:10pm

    @skimmer57….trust me, Huntsman ain’t gunna become a “God” He’ll be lucky to be accepted back by into Utah. He left just in time to miss his planned necktie party. He’s qualified enough to be elected to lick out toilet bowls. Sorry, does this sound harsh? Is this that political hate speech that the fiberals keep using that’s rubbing off on me…tough buns!

    Report Post »  
  • skimmer57
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:48pm

    Why run for President when his mormon faith says he will become a God when he dies? Just working his way up I guess.

     
  • Zombee
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Romneycare will be always an albatross around Mitt’s neck should he try to run for president again. Thats why Huntsman will be the better candidate.

    Report Post » Zombee  
  • Rillobymorning
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:23pm

    Never even heard of the guy. Good luck with that, dude!

    Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Ya think maybe he had this in mind when he accepted the barry boy appointment.

    Report Post »  
  • ohmyhec
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Huntsman should have NEVER EVER left Utah. What Herbert has done to Utah in Huntsman’s place is horrible and cruel. Huntsman would be a fine president.

    Report Post » ohmyhec  
    • UTConservative
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 11:59pm

      I dont know what state you live in but i live in UT and Herbet has kept UT with one of the strongest economies out of any other state through these hard times. But i do agree that Huntsman Jr. would make a fine president, if he decides to run i think he will be one of the front runners the whole time, and i personally think he is one of the few that can take Obamanation down.

      Report Post »  
  • VRW Conspirator
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:16pm

    i don’t think Jr should run….i admire his father and i am sure he is a great guy personally as well… he probably even believes in the same things that his father does…but that doesn’t make him President material….he has being a Gov. which is a plus…even being Amb to China is a plus….but he was kinda sleeping with the enemy in being part of the Obama administration

    Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • ohmyhec
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:22pm

      I think if one who is a governor or even a mayor – or in any public office – is asked by the President of the United States to serve as ambass or anything – it is pretty much a done deal. I think he wanted Huntsman all the way over on the other side of the earth so he could keep Huntsman quiet and out of the media’s ear shot. Obama is not stupid. Huntsman is was thee coolest governor and would be a cool president.

      Report Post » ohmyhec  
  • JohnnyRocket
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:08pm

    Huntsman is a true conservative and I predict a presidential win for him!! Bye bye Obumer!

    Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:18pm

      JohnnyRocket;

      I don’t know where you get your FACTS, but could you provide some evidence he is conservative. My information indicates he is RINO.

      Report Post » Dale  
  • Zombee
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:06pm

    Huntsman is an honorable man and just might be worth considering if it means repealing Obama-care The Regime and restoring liberty and limited government..
    The Senate and White House needs some shellacking in 2012.

    Report Post » Zombee  
  • historypaper
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:03pm

    Anybody dumb of enough to work for Obama cannot be President. U.S. Ambassador to China John Huntsman, Jr wants to be president and its o.k. to have ambition but you are required to have brains. If Huntsman was stupid enough to work for Obama he is too stupid to work for the people of the constitutional United States of America. I’m glad China John left Obama, but we no longer forgive stupid deeds.

    Report Post » historypaper  
  • pistol
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:01pm

    Watch out!! keep eyes and ears open for anyone on the left. They have proven they can’t be trusted.

    Report Post » pistol  
  • RavenRet2000
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:53pm

    Always ask yourself, would a RINO be as bad as the NSDP-Deceiver (National Socialist Democratic Party) that we ended up with this time?! Then ask yourself … If a person has to be part RINO just to get elected (reality check here), but then turns out to be a real Conservative (Yes Virginia, the reverse of 2010 could actually happen…) would that maybe be worth taking a chance on?! For the time being, what other viable choice do you see on the horizon? — As it stands today, I could Vote for this guy in a Heartbeat over his Holyness, the Obama. And about some of their recent tyranical policy and legislative initiatives … well, don’t get me started! I served over 26 years in a uniform dedicated to preserving the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic … and I‘ll be damned if I’m just goning to give this country away now. I’m all for Guest Workers and sensible immigration policy; We need to maintain this nation as the “land of opportunity”, we just can’t let it go any further as the Land of the Free Lunch! ~~ RavenRet200-out

    Report Post »  
  • Petunia
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:49pm

    I’m willing to hear what the man has to offer. He was a very popular governor in the MOST conservative state in the union. All the cat calls of RINO in the world will never change that. I have no idea what his actual politics are. But I do know the man is far more qualified than Obama or Palin.

    Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:15pm

      Petunia;

      Check your facts. He was not popular with everyone, namely the conservatives and libertarians who were glad to see him serve in China.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • neverending
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:16pm

      I totally agree – if it is palin then it will definitely be second term for barry boy

      Report Post »  
  • nostromo
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:39pm

    I didnt know the Mormon vote was so important that it had to be split. Is Romney that formidable?

    Report Post »  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Are you saying that they’d only get the Mormon vote? Umm…last time I checked Romney did better in the Primaries than the other bozos on the ballot. McCain only started pulling ahead after his narrow victory in Florida and after the Huckabee followers colluded with the McCain followers in (was in Virginia?) to prevent a Romney victory. Talk about party unity, right guys?

      I love how great men who want to run for president instead get stoned by the media and bloggers for being Mormon, but we’re willing to close one eye and elect a man who nobody knows what he believes, is generally antagonistic toward Christianity, and is generally protagonistic toward the religion that continues to wreak havoc in the world and in our country. Am I missing something here? Someone help me out.

      And on a side note, why do you hardly ever hear anti-Mormon rhetoric thrown at Harry Reid? Oh, he gets a lot of sh*t thrown at him, don’t get me wrong, but the Mormon issue?…..naw, pretty quiet on that front.

      Report Post »  
  • jbh
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:31pm

    So here is where I stand. If Barack Hussein Obama was the last person on this earth. HE STILL WOULD NOT GET MY VOTE.

    I have a thousand examples but look at present day. Egypt does anyone think a muslim government like Iran is anything like democracy?????????? The person in the oval office is nothing more than a joke.

    On a famous talk show this morning the host ask a caller what he thought of the current progress or lack of process from the current white house concerning egypt. And the caller simple said all you have to do is look at the current president name. Barack HUSSEIN OBAMA

    Report Post »  
    • Edgar Bennet
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:06pm

      That mentality is what they’re banking on my friend. In the same way that Obama got the vote largely just from anti-Bush sentiment. We have to rlly get the candidate we need in there

      Report Post » Edgar Bennet  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:30pm

    Stay home in Utah or go back to china. We do not need you as President of the USA.

    Anyone who would work FOR or WITH the no-man is NO FRIEND of the USA, ever. I don’t care how much money you have or who your parents are, or what generation you are in the eternal scheme of things unless you are a direct descendant of GOD ALMIGHTY. Then, I would reconsider.

    Report Post »  
    • TRUTHSEEKINGAL
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Aren’t we all HIS children? Thus desendants ! I don’t want a horn totin rhino anymore than a cino. But as another poster said, We may have some kind of “October Surprise” and Obeyme must (although he doesn’t want to oppress voters) pull the “kill switch” on elections.
      I know that civilian army (core of angry youth and NBP’s who train them) is ready for their call to dutyfrom the prez. Once us “clingers” get out of hand. Domestic- homegrowns get agitated after too many “porno pat downs”. The civilian core will have to quell the unrest, then we can proceed with elections.

      Report Post » TRUTHSEEKINGAL  
  • Leslie_Benedict
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:23pm

    No thanks!

    Report Post » Leslie_Benedict  
  • Bot
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:16pm

    Jon Huntsman, Jr. is a RINO in a couple of areas: immigration and global warmiing. If he moderates his position in these areas he could be a formidable candidate. He simply has to say “we’ll build the wall first, enforce the guest worker program, stop anchor babies, and require workers to return to their home country and apply for citizenship like everyone else.“ And he should say ”it is now clear that Cap and Trade is simply an income re-distribution scheme. It will hurt the U.S., and I don’t support it.”

    I don’t see both he and Mitt Romney running for president, however.

    Report Post » Bot  
  • TRUSTNO MAN
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:15pm

    O-D’d on EGGROLL there Johnny? Nobody likes a quitter especially in Utah. (Probably upset over the Whitehouse State dinner music choices I bet…..NOT!) Lookin for a place to blow his millions!!

    Report Post » TRUSTNO MAN  
  • knotaclu
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Hu is president of China. Would be great to see this man join the potential candidates. As least we will have new blood to choose from this time….

    Report Post »  
  • Grandpa's Attic
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Sounds a bit convenient for Berry. Why can’t the Repub. put up a strong candidate? We just had McCain now we got this RINO running…

    Report Post »  
  • NeoFan
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:12pm

    Rino Alert!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • felina g
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:24pm

      Double that. The acorn fell far from the twee.

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Probably better than Romney tho!! Cain/Bachmann/DeMint somehow !!

      Report Post »  
    • mill
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:09pm

      I have to agree he is better than Romney. Dad would have been dynamite, Jr is a little firecracker, don’t be fooled

      Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:11pm

    good stock this huntsman clan………………….and the left is already trying to minimize him, but with little effect.

    this man would get my vote if he ran.

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • gramma b
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:17pm

      Junior is not his father, and not particularly conservative.

      Report Post »  
    • bullcrapbuster
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:33pm

      GrandmaB you are probably right on.

      Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
    • popeyebedford
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 4:52pm

      Donald Duck has my vote, if he runs against the neighborhood trouble maker…

      Report Post »  
    • mill
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:08pm

      Jr ain’t SR…. Just ask the state of Utah. However, many are right..most Americans won’t do the proper screening, just as they did with Obama..

      BUT WAIT!!! Betcha…if things are not favorable for Obama, there will be a “national crisis” that will put the voting in peril..or canceled for a “bit of time”…

      Supposedly we are coming out of the darkness and beginning the climb to enlightenment. I am about to turn off my tv and move to my specially appointed cave and forget all about the lies we are being told.

      People hate America…our leaders are fools. They do not represent us ..Americans are good kind giving people, and foolish voters

      Report Post »  
  • Edgar Bennet
    Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:09pm

    Do you smell what I smell?

    Report Post » Edgar Bennet  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:13pm

      Hu is president of China…

      Report Post »  
    • ->Click for online job<-
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:14pm

      I smell failure. You?

      -&gt;How To Work From Home Site&lt;-  
    • gramma b
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:18pm

      I hope Glenn doesn’t allow his fondness for Huntsman Sr. to transfer to Huntsman Sr. IMO, they are not the same caliber of man.

      Report Post »  
    • hifi74
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:19pm

      What the Rock is cooking?

      Report Post » hifi74  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:23pm

      Oh please…not ANOTHER RINO! We neat a REAL CONSERVATIVE.
      DeMint/Bachmann 2012

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • exdem
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:23pm

      @EDGAR
      Yes and it smells real bad.

      Report Post »  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:26pm

      PEEEEEEEYYYYEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!! That sho’ nuff STINKS!!!!
      At least he is coming from China…..which probably makes him over-qualified for the job of President…..but he knows who to ask for more money…..

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:33pm

      So Hu no likey Huntsman I guess

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Chris G
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 2:51pm

      Did I hear correctly that Huntsman Jr. is a member of the progressive/globalist Council on Foreign Relations? If this is true, then HELL NO! There are several other names w/ a better reputation than him to support. I for one support either Rep. RON PAUL or Rep. ALLEN WEST, but that’s just me.

      Report Post » Chris G  
    • gofigureinternational
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:05pm

      Yes, another RINO. The worst part of people like Trump and Huntsman is that they have sufficient money that they can buy enough advertising to espouse conservative rhetoric to get elected and the average uneducated American will fall for it without looking at their records. To add insult to injury, I truly believe that Mickey Mouse, if on the ballot, would get elected over BHO without a crisis of monumental proportion changing the current electorate’s mindset. Of course that could always be pre-manufactured. Huntsman should run as a Democrat to give us the choice of “Conservative” (Republican) or “Conservative Light” on the Dem ticket. Conversely, that appears to be what has happened the last 30 years with the choice being liberal or liberal light! The election always appears to be who you have to squeeze your nose the least on as they both stink.

      Report Post »  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 3:49pm

      Dr. Ron Paul is the only one considering running that is qualified to be our President in 2012!

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • THSWarrior
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 5:04pm

      Yes. I have smelled it before, several times.

      Report Post » THSWarrior  
    • fulcrum
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 5:46pm

      Piece of advice to all you conservative out there, I am from Utah, and here’s my opinion on Hunstman:

      RINO….RINO… RINO….
      Very well liked by the local far leftist.
      He‘s considered a silver spoon fed rich boy who strayed away from dad’s political views out of spite.
      If you have noticed that Glenn Beck always specifies his admiration for “John Hunstman Senior” You’ve never heard him mention junior for a reason.
      Power hungry rino who wants to mirror his dad’s acomplishment without truly having earned them.
      As a true conservative, I would never waste my vote on Hunstman Junior!!!
      So let it be written!!!

      Report Post » fulcrum  
    • waggie
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:10pm

      All I know is if Obama likes him, then I DON’T want him!

      Report Post » waggie  
    • TRUTHSEEKINGAL
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:39pm

      Rhino road bisquits.

      Report Post » TRUTHSEEKINGAL  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:40pm

      has this been said..if Obama likes him…hummm no…

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • UnkaBob
      Posted on January 31, 2011 at 7:30pm

      Boy I hope Beck doesn’t endorse this RINO. Everything I’ve read about the guy makes me cringe.

      Herman Cain is the man for 2012.

      Report Post » UnkaBob  
    • Susystin
      Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:14pm

      Oh yes I do. Most vulgar smell ever.

      Report Post »  
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