Politics

‘Ticket to Ride’: Huntsman Vows to Fight in S.C. — But Some Wonder ‘Why?’

CONCORD, N.H. (The Blaze/AP) — Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman vowed Tuesday to press on to South Carolina after finishing third in the New Hampshire primary on which he had staked his candidacy – and despite huge hurdles ahead.

“I say third place is a ticket to ride, ladies and gentleman! Hello, South Carolina!” Huntsman told supporters at a Manchester restaurant.

Huntsman heads to that state Wednesday facing major challenges in the race for his party’s presidential nomination. He is largely unknown there, has little infrastructure, and has just 10 days to establish himself.

But he was upbeat after finishing behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, both of whom sought the 2008 nomination.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’re in the hunt,” Huntsman said, playing off his campaign’s frequent call to “Join the Hunt.”

Huntsman, 51, who skipped the Iowa caucuses and pinned his hopes on a strong showing in New Hampshire, entered the race last summer to high expectations, but he struggled from the start to win over conservative Republican voters. He repeatedly told voters that he wouldn’t “set his hair on fire” to earn applause or votes and cast himself as the voice of reason in a campaign season he likened to the reality show “Survivor.”

Huntsman had started to show signs of gaining ground in the last few days, however, after a strong performance in Sunday’s debate and after making an aggressive play for independents, who could vote in either primary Tuesday. He held more than 170 public events in the state, including about 50 in the last two weeks, and said that experience reaffirmed his confidence in the political process.

“We proved the point that this state wants its candidates to earn it the old fashioned way, handshake by handshake, conversation by conversation,” he said, joined on stage by his wife, Mary Kaye, his parents, and his three oldest daughters. Mrs. Huntsman and the daughters have been a fixture on the campaign trail, with the daughters earning attention with their “jon2012” Twitter account and online videos.

On Tuesday night, they stood in front of a huge sign featuring Huntsman’s new slogan, “Country First,” which he started using after Romney criticized him for serving as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to China. Huntsman, who also served as ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush, answered that he put his country first while Romney was “raising money” for Republican candidates, and told supporters that Americans prefer the former, not the latter.

“They’re tired of being divided. They want leadership that will stand up and tell us, first and foremost, we need to come together as Americans in order to solve our problems,” he said, as the crowd chanted the slogan.

But as he tries to rouse support, some are wondering — given his performance — he’s pushing on. Hot Air’s Allahpundit wrote a scathing review of his candidacy:

He held 170 public events and still finished a distant third behind Ron Paul, whom no one — including Ron Paul — thinks is going to be the nominee. And yet he soldiers on, promising to give voters an electable option even though New Hampshirites have already crowned Romney the electable option in the field. I wonder what the real reason is. Maybe it’s simple pride, the feeling that he simply can’t quit after one disappointing outing after having worked so hard for so long? (See also Perry, Rick.) Or maybe it’s institutional inertia, i.e. the campaign’s already spent money and put people in place in South Carolina so, hey, why not keep going? Or maybe he simply wants to play spoiler and try to take some moderate votes away from Romney before he’s 100 percent inevitable. Can’t say I find any of those reasons compelling, but it’s his dime.

“Regardless, he should have been smarter and done better,” he concluded. “Too bad.”

Comments (64)

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  • cranberry
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:03am

    Not sure about this guy, he sure has an ego and thinks highly of himself..but, stay in it for now, The candidates who aren’t good enough to debate our President will weed themselves out eventually. We have a long way to go. I still can’t believe Ron Paul came in second? Really? Ron Paul?

    Report Post » cranberry  
    • kconservative
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I just did some research on Huntsman, he belives in global warming, mostly agree’s with Obama on Obama care, believes in the Dream Act…. Boy seems because he is a nobody, Nobody did any research on this guy. He is more liberal then Romney.

      Report Post »  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 2:22pm

      Huntsman has two sons serving in the US Military under O‘Bummer and has served as Ambassador to China under O’Bummer. He speaks Chinese.

      He is obviously a liberal and a brainiac that does not deserve TEA party support.

      Report Post » Sleazy Hippo  
    • foobear
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 2:26am

      Huntsman and Paul are the only two candidates I’d vote for, so I hope he stays in for the long haul.

      Everyone else has had their moment in the sun – I’m hoping Huntsman will get his.

      He’s the only pro-science Republican candidate.

      Report Post » foobear  
  • HurricaneFran
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:45am

    A Fox News commentator reviewed the questions in the exit polling and reported that Huntsman received 50% of HIS Independent votes from Democrats. The question asked of these Independents was “Are you satisfied with Pres. Obama? The answer was YES. Nothing like trying to sway votes….(frown).

    Report Post »  
  • IMPEACHBHO
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:40am

    WE NEED TO DEMAND that every candidate take an OATH TO END OBAMACARE. If it survives, America doesn’t.

    Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • BetterDays
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:31am

    Uh, because as a good little libertard he follows Obamas marching orders to divide and confuse the republican primaries?
    For GOD’s sake he worked for the occupier in chief, in China, and some here think this globalist is a conservative, get real!

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:24am

    Who’s Jon Huntsman ???

    Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 1:06pm

      Everytime I see Huntsman, get a nervous TICK and feel very uncomfortable. Don’t know what it is. I am moving on to Ron Paul 2012.

      Report Post »  
    • kconservative
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Moving to Ron Paul… Devine intervention.. Good Move.

      Report Post »  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:19am

    I’ve read speculation that Huntsman was testing the waters for 2016. Well, guess what? Anyone who isn‘t willing to seriously challenge Obama and try to salvage America’s future now gets no second chances with me, and the check won’t be in the mail.

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • JP16
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:13am

    The Blaze needs to have a second pair of eyes read their entire articles. I know they want to get as many articles out there with as small of a staff as possible but they need to make sure that middle school students don’t write reports with less spelling errors.

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:12am

    I hope he stays in for a lot of reasons
    He sucks up the independent dopey liberals vote
    He make a good contrast.
    He reminds people of why they dislike Barry
    etc.

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:10am

    He only got SO many votes in NH because all the INDEPENDENT voters (and there are TONS since they figured this out) can show up to vote declare the are “R”, vote in our PRIMARY since there is NO NEED to vote “D”, then CHANGE BACK to “I” as they walk out of the polling place! Huntsman is a PLANT ..IMO – any bets on him running THIRD PARTY? He’s a LIBERAL.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • johnnyman311
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:05am

    Jon Huntsman dropped out of High School never received a diploma. Has his G.E.D.. Just with that, what makes him think he can be U.S. Ambassador to China?? President of the United States?! lol He’s a good guy just a little sketchy about why he wants to run for president.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman,_Jr.

    Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:16am

      “Jon Huntsman dropped out of High School never received a diploma. Has his G.E.D..”

      Are you saying that a GED is inferior to a high school diploma? Wow… a lot of people who had to work to support their families as teens and later went back for their GEDs are gonna be ticked at you.

      Report Post »  
    • marvlus
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:20am

      Are you sure you’re not referring to his father?

      Report Post »  
  • Nepenthe
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:04am

    Huntsman does not have a chance of being the republican nominee, given that he talks in a sane and intelligent manner.

    With Johnson moving over to the libertarian party, my vote is pretty much decided now.

    Report Post » Nepenthe  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:58am

    Huntsman has failed to qualify for the ballot in three states: Virginia, Illinois and Arizona.
    http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/jon-huntsmans-new-hampshire-rise-we-are-ready-to-rock-and-roll/
    Why dont we see these stories on “ The aezalB” ?

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:53am

    Stephen Colbert tops Jon Huntsman in South Carolina

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71283.html#ixzz1j9pkKHAp

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:52am

    LOL – Huntsman will stay in the race until obama tells him otherwise.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:01am

      Sadly I think you are right. The powers that be have decided they want to run against Romney.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • txn4justice
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:46am

    I have been wonering for a long time now.

    Report Post »  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:58am

      Huntsman? Hmmm. Perhaps he is their (BHOers) other choice to run against.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:41am

    Huntsmand and a few others are running on pure ego now. The only people with serious campaign organizations are Romeny, Perry, and Paul. If Huntsman stays in he helps Romeny by spliting the Anybody but Romeny vote.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • txn4justice
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:48am

      Question for you: Perry or Obama; who would win the white house?

      Report Post »  
    • Clara88
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:05am

      Gov Rick Perry A True American Patriot

      Gov Rick Perry Was Drinking TEA Back In 2009

      San Antonio Tea Party …July 4th 2009

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmtPI7F9nUs&feature=relmfu

      http://www.rickperry.org/

      Report Post » Clara88  
    • txn4justice
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:18am

      Thank you Clara88. He is not as articulate as “Obamy”, unfortunately he also makes the verbal mistakes like Bush did. But he is a true American, patriot and Christian. I will take “heart over articulate anyday”.
      He doesn’t want to divide his country like Obama does. He wants to preserve it and make it even better.
      Unfortunately he looks like he doesn’t have the support that Romney has as the default Republican, but you can tell and see it in his face that he loves his country. You can see that the Obamas and company do not and are purely agenda driven.

      Report Post »  
    • Clara88
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:40am

      Right On!!! They love him in S C :)

      Report Post » Clara88  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:37am

    I wa, wa, wa, wa woner….
    “Why”.

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

      They changed that one…They still want your TICKE….

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • WILFREDFROMSUNCITYFL
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:36am

    The Blaze is very good, and Glenn seems to be the real deal, but can you guys please spell correctly and proofread your work? This is a recurring problem on this site.

    Report Post » WILFREDFROMSUNCITYFL  
  • Clara88
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:32am

    S C will NOT vote for blue bloods born with silver spoons in their mouths. He and Romney will BOTH lose in the south.

    Report Post » Clara88  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:37am

      There is just something about this guy that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up – John McCain always did the same thing. Something about his demeanor.

      Report Post »  
    • gramma b
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:57am

      Grandma, Huntsman is creepily prissy, isn’t he?

      Report Post »  
  • gramma b
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:31am

    Why? Because his billionaire Daddy says he’s fabulous and is willing to bankroll the effort, and because Jonny believes he is fabuulous. Despite the fact that every “achievement” in his life has been greased by his Daddy, he still believes he is smarter and better than everyone else.

    Report Post »  
  • WILFREDFROMSUNCITYFL
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:31am

    I love Glenn and The Blaze, but can you guys learn to SPELL and PROOFREAD? The Blaze is routinely awful in terms of details like this.

    Report Post » WILFREDFROMSUNCITYFL  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:36am

      Glenn needs your 49.95 to buy spellcheck…I guess since I cancelled my subscription things are getting tight…

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Steverino
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:36am

      PROOFREADING – PROOFREADING….
      I see speling and gramatical errers all the time in comments, including my own, no doubt, BUT C’MON BLAZE!?!?
      I expect more from a “professional news website”.
      Please! you guys are killing us!
      Steve
      in a headline, yet. A HEADLINE!

      Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:30am

    “‘TICKE TO RIDE’: HUNTSMAN VOWS TO FIGHT IN S.C. — BUT SOME WONER ‘WHY?’”

    I know it’s early guys, but come on now… Ticke? Woner?

    Report Post »  
  • medic506
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:27am

    It’s early here in Texas, is it my eyes ,or are there two misspelled words in the title?

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:27am

    Prob like our posts, the writers can’t edit. LOL

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:26am

    ticke…?

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
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