I happened to watch Jon Huntsman being interviewed by Fareed Zakaria on his GPS show today. I was reminded of how good a presidential candidate Huntsman really is. Some of you are more conservative than me, but fiscally I lean pretty far in that direction. So what does Huntsman offer?

-He is recognized as being the most consistently conservative in virtually all respects than any other candidate, including social issues such as pro life.

-He has the experience, in business, government and foreign affairs. Not only was he a respected and successful state governor but also ambassador to China, and he speaks and writes Mandarin.

-He has never been accused of flip-flopping on his positions on important issues--solid as a rock.

-He's run an intelligent campaign, attacking his ideological opposition, but never making it personal or negative.

-He not only has a well-thought out plan for fixing the financial mess, but it's one that even the staunchest fiscal conservatives don't argue with.

-He has committed to bringing the country back together, with all political factions asked to pull towards common, important, agreed-upon national goals.

So can some tell me why this guy isn't one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination. I'm at a loss as to why so many other candidates who are flawed in ways Huntsman is not are so popular with the Republican electorate.

Can anyone explain?

I can tell you that I get that "Gore" feeling about him.
Like he is so much smarter than everybody else in the room and knows it so he speaks down to you.

I don't know that he actually is like that or does that but that is the feeling I get.

The media controls who we "see" as a frontrunner or one of the Top 3. The "debates" are very contrived and the "moderators" could not be more obvious in their bias and preference for the candidates they want as Obama's opponent.

As for all the republicans who treat him as if he were invisible and inaudible, I think it is because of this. (Guilty by association....)

"President Barack Obama nominated Jon Huntsman to serve as the United States Ambassador to China on May 16, 2009, noting his experience in the region and proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. His nomination was formally delivered to the Senate on July 6, 2009, and on July 23, 2009, he appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which favorably reported his nomination to the full Senate on August 4, 2009. On August 7, 2009, the Senate unanimously confirmed Huntsman."

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

I've also been curious about why Huntsman's candidacy has been so muted. How can he be less attractive than Gingrich to conservatives, evangelicals, DC haters and, for that matter, any Republicans who have morals?

If most of the skeletons get out of Newt's closet in the next few weeks, Huntsman could well be the February Flavor.

Huntsman committed the sacrilege of actually putting his country before party by serving in the Obama administration. Perhaps the right-wingers consider him a plant, an operative, a double agent, the anti-Christ, whatever.
I agree that he is the most rational candidate of the bunch, which is why he will never get the nomination.

I like what Huntsman said in response to the "Why did you accept the position Obama offerred you" question.

He said "When the President of the United States asks you to serve, you say 'yes, sir'"

The Republican Party has been taken over by the extreme reich wing - some refer to them as "the crazies". They want a flame thrower.

Huntsmann doesn't appeal to "the crazies". He is far to intelligent and moderate for them.

The R's would choose Santorum or Bachmann before Huntsmann.

I think it is name recognition and the Glenn Beck factor involving Jon Sr.

Originally Posted by djplong

I like what Huntsman said in response to the "Why did you accept the position Obama offerred you" question.

He said "When the President of the United States asks you to serve, you say 'yes, sir'"

Amen!

There are several reasons Jon Huntsman has not emerged as one of the top candidates despite his credentials. (1) He got into the race late and without a strong on-the-ground presence. (2) He was an excellent governor of Utah, but Utah does not put you on the national stage. (3) He lacks the charisma that has characterized most successful candidates. None of this is a knock on Huntsman. He will not get the nomination but would be an excellent Secretary of State.

How noble some of you are. If Jon Huntsman was the current front runner, you know dang well the libs here would be ripping into him just like they have all the others.

You've all heard the "Anyone but Obama" slogan. The libs will vote anyone but a conservative no matter what the cost is. If Christ himself descended from heaven to run the libs would still vote for Obama just for spite. That's what they do.

I will vote for Huntsman in the Florida primary...how about the rest of you?

Jesus would never run as a Republican.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

I happened to watch Jon Huntsman being interviewed by Fareed Zakaria on his GPS show today. I was reminded of how good a presidential candidate Huntsman really is. Some of you are more conservative than me, but fiscally I lean pretty far in that direction. So what does Huntsman offer?

-He is recognized as being the most consistently conservative in virtually all respects than any other candidate, including social issues such as pro life.

-He has the experience, in business, government and foreign affairs. Not only was he a respected and successful state governor but also ambassador to China, and he speaks and writes Mandarin.

-He has never been accused of flip-flopping on his positions on important issues--solid as a rock.

-He's run an intelligent campaign, attacking his ideological opposition, but never making it personal or negative.

-He not only has a well-thought out plan for fixing the financial mess, but it's one that even the staunchest fiscal conservatives don't argue with.

-He has committed to bringing the country back together, with all political factions asked to pull towards common, important, agreed-upon national goals.

So can some tell me why this guy isn't one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination. I'm at a loss as to why so many other candidates who are flawed in ways Huntsman is not are so popular with the Republican electorate.

Can anyone explain?

He worked for Obama. Huntsmann is DOA.

Originally Posted by coralway

He worked for Obama. Huntsmann is DOA.

I'm pretty sure he was working for the nation.