So Just Who is Newly-Announced Candidate Jon Huntsman Jr?
- Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:11pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Editor’s note: this is a political profile done by the Associated Press.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jon Huntsman Jr. is a high school dropout, a Harley-riding ex-governor and a diplomat whose last boss was President Barack Obama. Now this Republican wants Obama’s job.
The unusual political resume and sometimes centrist views makes Huntsman both a long shot to emerge with the GOP presidential nomination and a candidate to be feared by the Democrat in the White House should he break out of the pack.
At the Tacos Don Rafa food cart in downtown Salt Lake City, though, Huntsman is known simply as a regular, often dressed in a denim jacket.
“His palate can withstand more hot sauce than anyone else I’ve met,” says Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, Huntsman’s first chief of staff. “I think that’s why he liked the taco carts, because of their authenticity.”
Authenticity also defines Huntsman, friends say, and helps explain his success as a moderate politician in solidly conservative Utah, where he was re-elected with 75 percent of the vote in 2008. Huntsman resigned from the governor’s mansion less than a year later when Obama tapped him to serve as his ambassador to China. He gave up the diplomatic post in Beijing after less than two years to make his run for president.
He entered the GOP presidential field on Tuesday, flanked by his family and with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop.
Huntsman’s moderate views could work against him in the Republican primaries, where conservative voters dominate. As Utah governor, he supported legislation to deal with climate change and backed civil unions for gay couples, positions that angered the GOP base but had little impact on his overall popularity.
“It makes him an incredibly weak candidate in the GOP field,” says Alex Slater, a Democratic consultant. But if Huntsman can win the Republican nomination, Slater says, he would be “the only candidate the White House fears” in a general election.
Huntsman, 51, is certain to face questions for his time working for a Democratic president. That “cardinal sin” of tea party politics may be enough to scare Republican voters back to traditional candidates, says Democratic consultant Mo Elleithee, who worked on Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.
“The people who do the best in the GOP primaries are the most conservative or the most establishment,” Elleithee said. “He is neither of those.”
The little-known Huntsman – he ranks in the single digits in public opinion polls – has never been traditional or establishment.
While he’s the namesake of a billionaire businessman and a member of one of the most prominent families within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he’s also a high school dropout who spent the latter part of his teen years playing with local jazz and rock bands.
Those years ended when he briefly enrolled at the University of Utah through a program that granted him admission without a high school diploma. He then went on a Mormon mission to Taiwan, where he learned to speak Mandarin.
He later attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in political science, then entered public service and eventually worked for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In 1993, after leaving his post as ambassador to Singapore, Huntsman became president of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and eventually CEO of Huntsman Family Holdings, the umbrella company for the multibillion-dollar corporation founded by his father.
Huntsman first ran for Utah governor in 2004, winning with 57 percent of the vote. .
As governor, proposals to significantly boost education spending and a repeal of the tax on food garnered him support from moderate members of both parties. In the 2008 campaign, the most effective argument that Democrats could muster was that Huntsman was unlikely to serve his full second term, and they were right.
Senators lavished so much praise on him during his confirmation hearing for the ambassador’s job that Huntsman said he hoped to fare as well at his funeral. Taking up his post in Beijing amid sometimes unsteady U.S.-China relations, Huntsman prodded the Chinese on human rights and worked to expand U.S. engagement with the growing economic powerhouse.
Democrats may have thought that putting Huntsman to work for Obama effectively took him out of the 2012 political equation, but that appears to have been a flawed assumption.
“I’m sure that him having worked so well for me will be a great asset in any Republican primary,” Obama said with a laugh when Huntsman submitted his resignation.
Despite being a Mormon Republican from Utah, a factor that hurt fellow Mormon and part-time Utah resident Mitt Romney in his 2008 bid for the GOP presidential nomination, Huntsman could be the most moderate GOP politician in the crowded field for 2012.
“He infuriated those who tried to hijack the party, those who claimed to speak for God,” said University of Washington President Michael Young, a friend since they served together in the first Bush administration, when Huntsman was a deputy trade ambassador. “But he was wildly popular with the bulk of the party.”
Friends and colleagues describe a man who puts a priority on family.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of Huntsman’s closest political allies and a good friend, points to the results: two sons in the U.S. Naval Academy, a concert pianist daughter and another daughter who works for a New York City public relations firm. Huntsman and his wife, Mary Kaye, have seven children in all, one daughter adopted from China and another from India.
“It comes from being a tight-knit family,” McCain said.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, who was Huntsman’s lieutenant governor, says GOP primary voters may be impressed enough by Huntsman’s fiscally conservative principles to overlook any perceived negatives.
After all, he supported school tuition vouchers, pushed through a mostly-flat income tax and backed a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2004.
What strikes Herbert most about Huntsman is his lack of pretense.
“He could have chosen the lifestyle of the leisurely rich, but instead he put himself into service,” Herbert said. “He is down to earth.”
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Comments (193)
inferno
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:31pmSimple answer. He is someone I could never vote for.
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:22pmThe only thing that is troubling is that his wife looks uncannily like all Republican candidate wives/female Republican presidential ‘candidates’ — The Stepford Wives!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:33pmYea, she’s dead ringer for Palin and Bachman, isn’t she? If you mean attractive, then you may be on to something. Most female liberals don’t look like they even shave their armpits.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:39pmHuntsman‘s wife looks like McCain’s wife and daughter.
The Plastic Look…Nothing “real” about them…RINOs ALL!
Report Post »Brighter_Bart
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:00pmWho is the girl in the photo picture? (and not the white wife!)
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 9:26pmBRIGHTER_BART one of the obama kids
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:20pmI like him, based on what little I know of him, but if I had to vote for a Republican next election, it would have to be Mitt. He is competent and not crazy.
Report Post »termase
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:12pmSniff, sniff, I smell a RINO
Report Post »Tayster
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:09pmFirst of all, I, like Glenn, absolutely love and respect Jon Huntsman Sr. The guy is 100% class act in everything he does.
Junior, on the other hand…
Since I live in Utah and voted for him for governor, I can honestly say that I would never vote for this man again.
Sure, he’s a nice guy, has a great smile and a pretty wife. He shares a lot of the same religious views as myself. Heck, he’s even in a rock band. (Well, he was when he was governor.)
The problem is, he doesn’t listen to the people AT ALL. And why should he? As governor, he was the most powerful man in Utah.
He is just the typical rich kid born with his daddy‘s money and his mommy’s looks. (And, for the record, I have nothing against rich people. I have a goal to be included in that group one day.)
Report Post »CalvinandHobbes
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:06pmTayster…you have said a mouthful…I believe you over any of these other opinions because you have “been there”. Why do the rich always feel they “know better than anybody else”.
Report Post »timb58
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:06pmThe only one the dummycrats fear is not in the race,that’s Sarah Palin.
Report Post »Oraclevoiceofreason
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:06pmJon Huntsman is a liberal. I live in Utah and he did not do us any favors during his tenure. He can give credit for his success to the stellar reputation of his Father… If you are a conservative you will not like him as a candidate. I am a California native-Mormon conservative who now lives in Utah and he is not my guy.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:29pmI don’t believe he will be a serious contender, despite the liberal media push for us all to love and respect him.
Report Post »FaithfulFriend
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:04pmIn the spirit of Joe Biden, just 3 words… NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.
Report Post »Inlandmar2
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:04pmThis article is nothing more than propaganda pushed by the Obama supporting lame stream media. AP is inside Obama’s underwear taking his rectal temperature with their nose.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:38pmSpot on my friend. We can expect lots of slobbering coverage for Huntsman from the liberal media…until they realize their plan didn‘t work and this guy couldn’t get nominated in ANY red state.
Report Post »Mercy2011
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:01pmNot another R I N O PLEASE! I vote Herman Cain…CAIN CAN!!
Report Post »harumph
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:00pmPerhaps he’s bucking for the VP nod; replacing Biden, that is.
Report Post »ipsphxaz
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:58pmBecks opinion of Huntsman? Who cares! I stopped listening to Beck (the idiot) long ago. My opinion! Huntsman is more phony than the day is long! He and his closet wives, he is a joke.
Report Post »In a Bunker
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:55pmRead my lips, NO MORE RINOS!
Report Post »Flyovergirl
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:45pmModerate , middle of the Road = Road kill
Report Post »I noticed fake “humility” …put him in the Rino column …. never, never would I vote for him.
Seagal45
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:42pmWho??
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:42pmNice guy….but according to his speech, he has respect for the (current) president…and he’s more concerned about who will be the better president instead of who is the better American. Civility??? He intends to be civil????? “We are for the first time, a Nation in Decline”….a country who for the first time, we will be turning over to the next generation….LESS than what WE got!!! How in the HELL can we be CIVIL WHEN WE ARE LOSING OUR COUNTRY???? He may be nice, but not impressive
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:54pmI almost threw up when he said he “RESPECTED” this current President…what??? HE thinks HE is going to teach real Patriots how to be CIVIL??? CIVIL THIS.
NO one who tells the truth could say they respected this PRESIDENT…maybe the OFFICE of the PRESIDENCY..but NEVER, EVER this PRESIDENT. I thought about dopey Obama’s ” grande celebration complete with the columns etc . THAT SOB thought he was going to be the DICTATOR of us…Why else would ANYONE rent COLUMNS from Hollywood Casting and pay to fly them out to surround him???? We knew then that we were in big…..big trouble. GO AWAY Huntsman…you are nothing like your dad.
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:04pm@ Patty
Report Post »I was listening to Rush and he was commenting on Huntsman…in regard to the “civility” issue, he played a clip of Ronald Reagan RIPPING Carter a new one in an angered tone and with such precision it was BEAUTIFUL. I want a president who will do that to BO without being fearful of ANYTHING or anyone or any retribution. We need a President who is NOT AFRAID to play hardball. That doesn’t mean make up lies or tell stories…it means telling the TRUTH about what this bastard and all those surrounding him (before and during this administration) have done to our country and what we need to be PROTECTED from in our future. I only pray God will bring a winner to the fore.
katiefrankie
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:45pmNJTMATO, I am still laughing over your Reagan comment so much that it is bringing tears to my eyes. I sometimes wish that I was born in a different era and could remember him better. Alas, as a Reagan baby I‘ll just have to thank my lucky stars I wasn’t part of the Carter administration AT ALL.
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 6:05pmHas anyone noticed the popularity spikes every single critic of the status quo gets when they open up and get mad?? When they finally say what they think, and lay into obama and his abysmal record people react.. We need a candidate that will call a spade a spade.. And loudly at that..
Report Post »brinksmom
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:38pmI admire and respect his father from what I have seen on Glenn Beck. But the son is a RINO worse than McLame and we cannot allow him to buy his nomination, nor allow the Lamestream media to pick him for us. NO real Republican conservative would have been part of the current regime in any capacity!
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:34pmI don’t know, but there‘s something about him that doesn’t pass the smell test. Maybe it’s just me.
Bottom line; there’re no books entitled “Best American Moderates”, so maybe that’s my problem with him.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:43pmI agree and I flat-out don’t like the fact that he served under the Marxist. Think about it: Why would a rich man feel the need to do this? Certainly, it isn’t because he needs a job and a salary. So, you then ask yourself what type of person would cast aside his belief system for a 2-year stint working for an avowed Marxist? Some people would call this shrewd, but I’d call him a shyster.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:49pmWhat HAUSCHILD says…this is not LIFE and TIMES as we grew up in…. The Presidency is not something we “pass down” from one Skull and Bones guy to the next!!! How much ego must this guy have??? UGH.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:45pmListen to his speech pattern…nothing genuine about it.
Sounds like yet another Progressive Teleprompter Reader.
Why bother to even have an election,
Report Post »Obama and Huntsman are following the same path.
Tony
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:32pmSo the Democrats fear Huntsman more any another…..You can bet the media will pick this guy to be our candidate…. never mentioning his “religion” …..unil he gets the nomination.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:41pmThey’ve already picked Michelle Bachmann! Maybe they’ll add ARMS too (Another Rich Man’s Son)
ANYONE
ANY
ONE
Report Post »that the MSM even sorta likes is NOT the one for us!
PrfctlyFrank
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 6:00pm@PATTY.. Nail on the head.. Who the hell is the press to tell us who our candidate is going to be?? Believe me that is exactly what they are trying to do and do early..
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:30pmImagine how the elitist left‘s collective heads would explode if a man with no college education took Obama’s job! Then again, I guess we still can‘t prove much about Obama’s college years, since he won’t cough up the records..
Report Post »jafo83
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:38pmHe got a degree in politcal science at the University of Pennsylvania…even though he’s a high school dropout
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:54pm@JAF 083…true about U of PA Political Science degree?
Huntsman is a high school dropout.
How could Huntsman even apply,
let alone be accepted to college, without a high school diploma?
Money Talks!…rather, his father’s money talks!
Kind of reminds us of Obama
and his secretive …acceptance / …Middle East funding
for Harvard Law School.
No wonder Huntsman does not want to criticize Obama,
Report Post »their histories and ideologies are sounding more and more similar.
lynnissmart
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:28pmHe does not impress me at all!
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 7:34pmGOOD GRIEF!!!! THIS MAN spells his name without an “H”…really???? JON….really??? Like BARBI
NO thanks!!! Then I just heard that his Campaign Manager has been criticizing CONSERVATIVES for being RUDE…..RUDE THIS YOU FREAK!!! Did you bring your Teddy Bear??? WE need a WARRIOR!!
DID YOU GUYS see GLENN BECK TODAY??? IF not, go watch it. YOU KNOW that GLENN is totally respected by these MAJOR leaders of Industry/OIL/COAL who were in his Audience today…Roger Ailes must be wishing that BECK could have stayed… Not only is he the GREAT lead into the nightly shows…but the MESSAGE from BECK and the RESPECT he’s earned throughout the USA now has actually set FOX totally apart (ABOVE by MILES) from the others.
Report Post »SAVE THIS BECK… it’s so impressive. THIS IS THE TIME, THIS IS THE ELECTION. It’s either now or never and no JON who wants to be “civil” will make a dent in repairing the damage that COMMIE in the WHITE HOUSE has done to our PRECIOUS AMERICA. WE can come back…with PALIN.
PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:26pmGLENN, we know you love and respect this man’s father…but to me, this is just a ARMS (Another Rich Mans Son)…. HE is another RINO…he is NOT a WARRIOR. WE need SARAH PALIN. THIS man is a wonderful cabinet member, maybe Ambassador again…but he’s no WARRIOR.
Bachmann, Newt, Pawlenty, Santorum, need to get out of the race and get behind PALIN ! Palin needs to get WEST to run with her. This is the election where we need the best and the TOUGHEST!! That would be PALIN and WEST.
THE DEMS have got their “party line” set up: GOP will DESTROY USA.. OF course that is a total lie and so far away from anything true. THEIR PUPPET has been destroying AMERICA as fast as he can. BUT they are out to win this election with every lie, every smear, every faux story they can. THEY’VE already thrown the kitchen sink at PALIN…she can and she will WIN. GET BEHIND HER…don’t waste PRECIOUS GOP $ for your ego…there is not one of you… current candidates who can beat OBAMA the way it is now. ROMNEY and PAUL need to drop out soon too. GO FOR THE WIN…not the EGO!!! NO MORE RICH MEN’S SONS…Sorry no TEXAN either….there is only one person who can clean this country up! Her name is SARAH PALIN.
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:39pmGlenn was very clear today to say that he does not know enough about him and is keeping his opinion about him to himself till nearer the end of the primaries so that he doesn’t become biased.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:40pmYou’re right about Palin: She is THE ONE. You can see it from a mile away, if you choose to.
I’m wondering when my fellow conservatives will choose to realize this?
Again, I have never heard any of us argue that a specific issue Palin stands for, we disagree with. We all agree with everything she says, and she’s obviously no RINO and she reeks of traditional America; what more can we ask for?
I really hope I’m not on this board in 3 years having to remind you people that I told you so.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:11pmMormons usually support other Mormons, but now there are 2 so Glenn must be torn between the two.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:11pmExcept that Rick Perry is a MALE “Sarah” and everybody knows this is a Man’s job!
Report Post »LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:33pmwow…Henry… you said,, Paylin..so many times i almost agreed with you
Report Post »wanna bet that she will never run ?
Pujols
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 5:59pmMONICNE, You’re an idiot. Obama is not a man and you voted for him.
Report Post »olddog
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:24pmR I N O, nuff said…….
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:23pmPer the media:
He is a racist that hates poor people and wants to turn America into a Mormon Theocracy.
.
Report Post »Brighter_Bart
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:56pmYes! But at least he IS a Mormon, and will not screw it up etc.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:39pmhmmm..no more mushrooms for you ! here is the dilemma- senior is great buds with Glenn,lets see how he treats/promotes rino junior
Report Post »12thArticle
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 9:44pmWrong on that one buddy. He’s not only a RINO, but also a MINO (Mormon in Name ONLY) As for a Mormon theocracy? Despite their history of abuse and neglect from state and federal governments (look into Governor Bogg’s infamous Extermination Order and also the Mormon war) Mormon’s have traditionally been strong constitutionalists from their beginnings. Of course there have been some bad apples in the political realm (Prince Harry among them.), but the majority of Mormons are Conservative in the true sense.
Report Post »MonIIcne
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:31amActually, Atheists have the best track record being Constitutionalists
Report Post »Hanna
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:22pmI finally realized why most Mormons are Libertarian….ie wanting no laws…..they don’t want their multiple wife thing to be illegal..
Report Post »Penn
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:19pmHow do you spell Huntsman? M-C-C-A-I-N. Nice guys finish last in Chicago style politics. Although he might make a decent Secretary of State.
Report Post »dabbo
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:21pmHey….doesn’t he ride motorcycles?…..Cool, I think I’ll vote for him!
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:22pmCount-down until someone calls the man a RINO? Seems like it happens a lot. Huntsman will need to prove himself. http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/06/who-is-jon-huntsman-another-candidate.html
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:31pmPlease fully support this hard working, bi-lingual candidate who will cement our relations with China that have languished since Nixon. This centrist family man has been a Governor, too. So he knows how to serve the common man. He also understands the Mormon thing very well and has never been accused of sex play. Please be warm to him and his family; volunteer your time and money to make him a success.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:32pmNO vote from ME!!!
Report Post »Run Sarah RUN!!! 2012
hauschild
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:36pmLike Limbaugh states time and again: No CONSERVATIVE in recent memory that’s ever run for POTUS has ever lost.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:39pmJon Huntsman is the Socialist 2nd Choice after Obama.
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:47pmMONCINE (not ENCINOM , yeah right) You spend all your time bashing Sarah Palin for quitting and now you are all for this guy? A high school dropout, Quit as governor of Utah (I don’t care why) also quit his post as ambassador to Chins (again I don’t care why). This just shows your hypocrisy.
Report Post »Servanthussain
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:48pmCan this pretty boy
convict the IMF (International Mafia Federation) ?
We need someone with guts to take down the world bankers
Report Post »or the U.S. is dirt.
gramma b
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:05pmIMO, Huntsman is a snake. He pretended to be conservative, trading on Daddy’s name and reputation, to get elected in Utah. Mike Lee, who is a conservative and who was briefly on the Huntsman team, recently ducked a question about whether Huntsman is a conservative.
Huntsman is the ultimate silver spoon baby, with his entire life greased by his billionaire Daddy. It’s hard to say whether he has actually ever earned anything on his own merits. He was a high school dropout, but he was admitted to Wharton. Is it a coincidence that Wharton has a building with Daddy name on it? His only business experience is in his Daddy’s companies. I wonder whether, had he been completely truthful, he would have been allowed to go on a Mormon mission. Rumors abound.
Interestingly, this article has Mike Young tooting Huntsman’s horn, and putting down the religious conservatives who don’t like Huntsman. Mike Young’s attitude toward the religious conservatives in Utah is no doubt colored by the fact that he recently dumped his wife of 38 years and the mother of his children, left the state, and immediately married a younger woman, who also left her husband. I’m sure he thinks that anyone who thinks poorly breaking up two marriages is a stupid bigot. The same kind of stupid bigot who doesn’t like Huntsman. Mike Young and Jon Huntsman deserve each other.
Please, Glenn, don’t promote this guy just because you like his father.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:06pmAnyone would be better than Obama, but Huntsman is not at all my choice, and if ENCINOM says something good about him, forget about it.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:09pmJon Huntsman is the Mirman version of John McCain
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:09pm@ I am Mad Dog:
You got me wrong, Dog, you must be talking about Emincom. I love Sister Sarah – she would be a good partner for the Huntsmans!
Report Post »Ms. Palin is a relevant well known name (media, books, audience), but with only 2 years as Governor, she has less insight into military command than Jon H. As a televised political entertainer, she might not be seen as objective as Huntsman, and is sometimes shrill. Lately both are breaking Reagan’s 11th commandment, criticizing Mitt and other Republican Governors. They both willingly say mean things to feed the President Obama haters. Just Sayin’ as Glenn would add.
gramma b
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:14pmPS. The Log Cabin Republicans are quite enthusiastic about Huntsman, according to Politico. Who need the support of traditional religious conservatives, when you have the Log Cabin Republicans? Certainly not Huntsman.
Report Post »fastfacts
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:24pmDid you see that the media is attacking his non-attack’ political promise, that includes against Obama, who he admires. They are now calling his campaign logo ‘MELLOW 2012:’ http://tiny.cc/bzx64
Report Post »LibertariansUnite
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:28pmRon Paul 2012
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:30pmHuntsman and Romney are both RINOS. If you are a true conservative or a right leaning republican or a libertarian, don’t vote for either of these.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:44pmWho is he? Another LOSER like McCain.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:57pmIf MONICNE/ENCINOM is for him, I am definitely against him.
Report Post »Brighter_Bart
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:57pmHarley Davidson is a UNION manufacturer so that is persiseily why I am a Yamaha
Report Post »gramma b
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:08pmAlong with the Log Cabin Republicans, Harry Reid favors Huntsman. LOL. With friends like these, who need enemies? From today’s Salt Lake Tribune:
Harry Reid favors Huntsman over Romney
Published on Jun 21, 2011 01:04PM
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid didn’t hesitate to say whom he would support in a race between fellow Mormons Jon Huntsman Jr. and Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination.
“I would favor Huntsman over Romney, but I don’t have a choice in that race,” said Reid, a Democrat from Nevada and the highest-ranking Mormon in the U.S. government.
Report Post »Okie from Muskogee
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:21pmI’ll say it, he’s a Rino. Stand in Truth. Look at his views on cap/trade, health care, etc.Â
What is the difference in any of these candidates views as I see them as all Rino in order of biggest Rino to smallest.Â
Romney
Huntsman
Pawlenty
Perry
Cain
Bauchman
I sure wish true Conservatives would create their own party. Progressives have eaten both parties and most Americans don’t even realize it. NEO-Cons = Progressives
Ron Paul The Constitutionalist 2012
Report Post »Brighter_Bart
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:29pmI wonder if he is good hunter of mountain lions and grizzle bears, as if he has ever fought with a momma grizzler.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:36pmanother limp elite wannabe rino..no more of these putzes to ruin the country.here is the straight skinny,you want freedom or slavery ?rino/wimps will sell out the USA every time…
Report Post »johnbarlycorn
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:47pmPenn, I believe you have this exactly correct: A Morman that claims secular social views; a Republican that leaves office to further the political agenda of the most radical Democrat occupant of the oval office since the 1930′s, a diplomat working to further the trade advantages of the Chinese. How would this not be a wonderful canidate for the Republican party and for the country?
Report Post »Truth Wins Every Time
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:49pmHuntsman resigned from the governor’s mansion less than a year later when Obama tapped him to serve as his ambassador to China.
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He quit as governor? Where are all the cries and yells from everyone on this quitter? The ones that demonized Palin on the same issue?
Report Post »I am so tired of it all.dems, repubs, libertarians, progressives, liberals, communists, marxist, etc. etc.
Get off your behinds and fight for your bleeping country! Or lose it!
DrFrost
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 5:10pmWhat matters most to me at this moment is how conservative he was FINANCIALLY as governor of Utah. I really wish the article above had addressed that. The best candidate in my opinion at this time is Gary Johnson. Somone with an honest record of saying no to government growth (in a BIG way) and actually cutting government jobs. Who else can say that right now?
The majority of Americans want smaller government, lower taxes and more personal freedom. The 3-pronged attack of EVERY DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION is: 1) bigger government, 2) higher taxes and 3) less personal freedom. And the republicans, I’m sorry to say, are not much better.
If we really want smaller government. If we really want more personal freedom, then we need to start voting that way NOW!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 5:33pmRegardless of whether he is a Rino or a true conservative, where has he been the last two years? Oh, right, China. So what makes him think he can just waltz in and take the nomination when he hasn‘t been in the scene attacking Obama’s policies? And it looks like he wants to use kid gloves in taking the “high road”
Listen Jon, no one gets to the head of the line without making waves and doing something to get the base excited unless they’ve been waiting for you. And no conservatives have been waiting for you to get in. If you want our attention, EARN IT. We don’t want a nice guy. We want someone who will defeat Obama. You have to have FIRE in the belly, not a hot water bottle.
Report Post »Pujols
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 5:54pmRINO…………
Go listen to Reagan’s speech for they day He ran. He said Jimmy Carter needed to lose His job because He did a bad job. Jon think Obama loves America. Another Joke Rino with Money.
Don’t Vote for McCains little Brother
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 6:05pmHuntsman flip-flops on cap and trade ……….he was for it until he against it
Report Post »ConsiderThis
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 6:32pmI think he would do better running against Obama in the dem primaries.
Report Post »shazam3
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 7:12pmThis guys nothing but a plant for Soros. Look how the MSM already picks him for Pres. Kind of like the unions backing the Repubs in Ca.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 10:48pmFirst of all Glenn covered this on his show today and before. He does not know Jr. and will not endorse anyone in the primaries.
Secondly, I have met Glenn Beck and I believe he is no phony. He has clearly stated the attributes and qualities he is looking for in the next President, if Huntsman is missing these qualities Glenn will say so, straight up. Yes he is friends with JH Sr., so what? This will not sway what GB say’s, his integrity is pure.
Bachmann will be the next President… Veep? Rubio or Cain
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:32amWho is he? A RINO!
1. Worked for Obama.
2. In bed with the Chinese.
3. Huntsman signed legislation that created the Utah Driving Privilege Card for illegal aliens in 2005.
4. In 2007, he opposed a bill that would have repealed Utah’s special in-state tuition program for illegal aliens going so far as to say that he would consider vetoing the legislation should it pass. Huntsman’s father also joined other community and religious leaders in encouraging legislators to oppose efforts to repeal taxpayer subsidized in-state tuition for illegal aliens.
5. Huntsman also used to be a member of the Progressive Leftist organization CFR, the Council on Foreign Relations.
Need I say more? This guy is a disaster!
Dr. Ron Paul/ Godfather Herman Cain 2012!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:02amMONICNE……..and what does he stand for other than being nice to Obama?
Report Post »This guy is a Lib plant……….MSLSD will love him
jv
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:18amHe has no chance of getting the Republican nomination. After 4 years of watching the vcountry go to the dogs because McCain refused to take the gloves off, conservatives are rabid to to see their next candidate tear Obama apart in the 2012 presidential debates. And this guy (this McCain wannabe)thinks he can get conservative support by playing nice?! What an idiot. How can anybody be so out of touch? Who are his advisors?
The scary part though is what he might do once he realizes he’s not going anywhere with the Republicans. I mean he has been over there in China for a couple years now, sleeping with the enemy. Is it possible he’s been brainwashed, that he’s a sleeper cell, a Manchurian Candidate of sorts, so deluded with himself that he’s all set to run as an independent (if need be) and sift away just enough RINO votes to ensure Obama another term? I surely hope not.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 5:35amSon of a Billionaire, a former Governor, a former Ambassador to the Obama Administration… Need we know any more?
Report Post »mibble
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06amHe’s not his father. In politics or anything else. Claims not to have flip-flopped but has done a 180 on cap and trade. Hypocrisy written all over this guy — when asked if he were a Mormon his comment was, my status with the Church of Latter-Day Saints is “tough to define,” but that I’m “proud of my Mormon roots.”
I don‘t care whether he’s Mormon or not. I do care that he can’t decide where he stands.
Report Post »mibble
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:20amHe stood with McCain. Harry Reid seems to like him. Nice that Harry Reid would have anything to do with a Republican, let alone a good person. Harry endorsed him over Mitt.
Report Post »Hanna
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:19pmHe seems more like a plant to me. As far as I am concerned, this is all I need to know about this guy and I don’t like any of it;/
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:39pmHe is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where a whole host of past Presidents belong along with uber rich, academia, and media. They are the ones who get together discussing what is to happen with America’s involvement with foreign relations, the academia write about it endorsing it and the media disperse it to all of us where we fall prey to their jibberish. Those who are members of this organization they work towards a one-world government, so I would be very careful to vote for anyone who has a membership into this nefarious organization, the Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg too.
Report Post »LittleLordFauntleroy
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:55pmHe and Newt are delusional.
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