Now, even Huntsman seeks running room on Romney’s right
When Jon Huntsman entered the Republican presidential race, the conventional wisdom held that he would try to position himself as a centrist and challenge Mitt Romney for moderate GOP primary voters. That belief held up through the first several debates, when Huntsman staked out a not-so-hawkish view on foreign policy, stated support for civil unions, and accused his own party of “run[ning] from science**.”
But apparently, Huntsman has decided to portray himself instead as the more conservative of the two. At least, that’s the impression given from the “Open Letter from Jon Huntsman to John Sununu” his campaign released this morning, mildly scolding the New Hampshire governor for endorsing Romney instead of a true “conservative governor”:
* While Mitt Romney opposed the Bush tax cuts and raised taxes and fees by $750 million in Massachusetts, I signed the largest tax cut in Utah history which helped our state lead the nation in job growth.
* While Mitt Romney implemented government healthcare in Massachusetts — which included an individual mandate and became the blueprint for Obamacare — I signed free-market healthcare reform described as “the other end of the spectrum” from the Obama-Romney approach.
* While Mitt Romney once declared that he does not “line up with the NRA” and pledged to not “chip away” at Massachusetts’ onerous gun control laws, I signed landmark legislation to defend the Second Amendment.
* While Mitt Romney was once ardently pro-choice — stating in 1994 that “abortions should be safe and legal” — I am proud to be a lifelong defender of the sanctity of life.
* While Mitt Romney proudly declared himself an independent during the Reagan-Bush years — even saying during his Senate campaign that he was “not trying to return to Reagan-Bush” — I am proud to have served in President Reagan’s administration which ushered in a golden era of prosperity in America.
When you look at his past statements, positions and voting record, the idea that Mitt Romney is a principled conservative is an impossible conclusion. It is more than his one term dealing with a liberal legislature; it’s a lifetime and record of inconsistent and liberal positions.
One last thing I almost forgot to mention: while we both served President George H.W. Bush — you as Chief of Staff and me as ambassador to Singapore — Mitt Romney supported and voted for Democratic presidential candidate and potential Bush opponent Paul Tsongas.
There’s not much new here in the way of accusations against Romney, just an interesting mix of fiscal and social issues with which Huntsman tries to push Romney to Huntsman’s left. A few observations:
- It’s officially Romney versus everyone else in this race.
- While I give Huntsman 1 million to 1 odds of winning the nomination (”So you’re saying there’s a chance!”), what will be the impact on Romney’s chances of having yet another candidate trying to tear Romney down? Can we expect a big “gang up on Romney” strategy in future debates?
- Romney now has to overcome this line of thinking bound to enter some GOP voters’ minds: “If even Jon Huntsman says Romney’s too liberal to be the nominee…”.
- If Huntsman is able to gain even a few percentage points of support in opinion polls with this approach, whom does that hurt most? (My guess: Probably not Romney; perhaps Cain, if he sheds voters due to his recent gaffes, or Perry, the other ex-governor in the race?)
- A change in approach likely signals one of two things: desperation time for Huntsman, because he knows he can’t win with his previous approach; or a decision that running to the right in the primary isn’t going to hurt any Republican against President Obama if the economy remains stagnant. Or maybe some of both.
Thoughts?
** – Partisans of both the Democratic and Republican brands embrace science when it suits them and ignore/attack it when it doesn’t. To believe the notion that one party is faithful to dispassionate analysis, and the other not, is to ignore the stances of the “faithful” on genetically modified crops, nuclear energy, DDT as a tool for fighting malaria…
– By Kyle Wingfield
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173 comments Add your comment
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:36 pm
DannyX…I know I was up there last weekend on my boat. It is actually dangerous out on Lanier right now. Be safe.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2011
2:52 pm
There is just as much supporting evidence of creationism as there is for evolution.
Look, I’m going straight to begging here: I have friends who attended UGA. I am a native Georgian. Please, if you’re going to state outright untruths, take the “UGA” out of your handle.
Creationists ran like rats from the Kitzmiller v. Dover case. Somehow all that supporting evidence wasn’t on display when they had to actually PRODUCE it, and prove to a commie leftist Republican G.W. Bush-appointed Judge that creationism is science. I suppose the poor children of Dover were not worth the fight for your creationist friends. Those kids now learn only evolution. If they all burn in hell, I suggest you speak to your creationist buddies who refused to testify in court.
Their complaints were about the adequacy and transparency of the first review process and environmental impact study.
Kyle, I’ll accept your word that the objections had some basis in political motivations, since you obviously covered the case and knew the players. I can understand how fishermen depending on wild salmon would want to undercut fish farmers. However I doubt the entire matter had as much scientific investment as global climate change or evolution. Unlike creationism “vs.” evolution, you can make a science-based argument for saying “we don’t know what will happen if some of these non-native fish escape into the wild.” There is probably no consensus among scientists since there aren’t as many studies. Plus the ecosystem is complex, foreseeing every contingency (partly based on how the fish behave) is not a sure thing.
Again, comparing that to Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry’s embrace of dimwit craziness….not even close.
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
“Again, comparing that to Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry’s embrace of dimwit craziness….not even close.”
Amen!
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
2:59 pm
Aquagirl…..just not worth the arguement….I pray you will seek the truth.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:01 pm
“position himself as a centrist”
Guess he didn’t see where the last “centrist” got his arse kicked by a community organizer.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:02 pm
Billy Bane….agreed the American people do not want a Centrist.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
getalife needs to getajob.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
UGA 1999
Huntsman was DOA. My pick is Perry or Cain. A Perry/Rubio ticket would beat Obama any day of the week. My left wing comrades can’t even tell me what the guy will run on in 2012.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:07 pm
Billy….I was thinking Perry and Rubio as well. However a Romney/Cain ticket wouldnt be too bad either.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
“Romney/Cain ”
That is an oxymoron. Romney is a “centrist.”
Jack
October 24th, 2011
3:20 pm
I wish Guiliani was in the race. I’d have something to get excited about.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:25 pm
” I’d have something to get excited about.”
You and about 5 other people.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:30 pm
I love how you keep it real Aquagirl!! Keep on girl
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:32 pm
What argument? She has fact behind ger theory. You have faith behind your belief. While I commend your faith, it shouldn’t be used anywhere in the debate process… Sorry, you had your azz handed to you and all the prayin’ in the world won’t change that fact
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:32 pm
” She has fact behind ger theory.”
What’s a “ger” theory? You could use a dictionary behind your arguments.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:33 pm
@CHUCK
LMFAO!!!!!! You called that one
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Does UGA offer degree programs in theology?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Aquagirl
What’s Obama’s winning strategy for 2012? Just wondering because these little “talking points” you and other left wingers throw out are non-issues in an economic climate of 9.1% unemployment.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
Billy….isnt it hilarious! They couldn’t all tie a single shoe with all of their brains combined!
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
“Does UGA offer degree programs in theology?”
No, but you can get one in pottery making, basket weaving and jogging.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:35 pm
My, what a cunning opponent you must be Billy. Of course you are correct, I’ll strike “ger” from my vocabulary in the future, OK?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:35 pm
UGA 1999
I’m still laughing at how left wingers seem to think that non-issues are winning strategies.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:36 pm
“My, what a cunning opponent you must be Billy.”
At least you can recognize greatness when you see it, Chuck.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Indeed Billy, I’m sure in your mind there is no one greater
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:38 pm
“Indeed Billy, I’m sure in your mind there is no one greater”
Chuck, if you want to debate something, let me know. Otherwise, your sophomoric comebacks are boring. Come up with something interesting.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
3:39 pm
@Billy
ditto
DannyX
October 24th, 2011
3:48 pm
More Christian science, this is from an e-book written by a mega church pastor in Seattle,
“”…(Pleasuring ones self) can be a form of homosexuality because it is a sexual act that does not involve a woman. If a man were to (pleasure himself) while engaged in other forms of sexual intimacy with his wife then he would not be doing so in a homosexual way. However, any man who does so without his wife in the room is bordering on homosexuality activity, particularly if he’s watching himself in a mirror and being turned on by his own male body.”
I guess this proves homosexuality is waaay more prevalent than anyone thought, affecting about 90% of all men.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
How did a blog about Huntsman turn into a blog about homosexuality?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
UGA 1999,
you still around?
Nat Turner
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
Jon Huntsman should be in the lead. He is level-headed, and has a proven track record in Utah. The man left with an 80 percent or more approval. Plus, he understands the world having been an ambassador.
As for Noah’s Arc, how nice that Noah was able to get two of every animal on his arc. I guess that the predator/prey relationships clocked out like Ralph E. Wolf and Sam Sheepdog at the end of the day.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
Billy….I am here.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:53 pm
“Otherwise, your sophomoric comebacks are boring. Come up with something interesting.”
This from a guy whose best retort was making fun of a typo.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
Thoughts?
Huntsman is about as exciting as John Kerry. Huntsman is the choice of MSNBC because they know full well that Obama will beat ANYONE who is even remotely moderate.
Bottom line: We need a conservative.
My choice is Perry or Cain. Either of those guys would beat Obama.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:55 pm
“This from a guy whose best retort was making fun of a typo.”
Dern, for a second I thought you were banned.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
“Jon Huntsman should be in the lead.”
But he’s not because he is nothing. His campaign is nothing. He’s boring and he wants to play the centrist roll and NO ONE on the GOP is having any of that.
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
Billy….Right now I think Romney, Perry or Cain could beat Obama.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
UGA 1999
Just wondering if you’ve seen some of the “intelligent” remarks from left wingers like DW.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:58 pm
“Right now I think Romney, Perry or Cain could beat Obama.”
Romney would beat him but Romney is not what we need. We don’t need to put a candidate who put up Obamacare before it was Obamacare.
DW
October 24th, 2011
3:58 pm
@billy
“My choice is Perry or Cain. Either of those guys would beat Obama.”
How do you and UGA like living in your fairy tale world?
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
3:59 pm
“How do you and UGA like living in your fairy tale world?”
When one can’t argue/debate they resort to acting like little children.
saywhat?
October 24th, 2011
4:04 pm
UGA 1999 wrote “ByteMe….excuses excuses…LAME, none of them will help him in 2012. It is over. Even Steve Jobs told Obama to his face that he would only be a one term president.”
Steve Jobs is dead. Shows how much he knew.
emo
October 24th, 2011
4:04 pm
So, there were two of each animal in the ark? That’s how well the creationists even read the Bible. As I recall, there were seven of each clean animal, not two. Next, you’ll tell me Noah was in the ark for just 40 days. (Hint: not even close). And you want the Bible taught in public school. LMAO.
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:06 pm
“Steve Jobs is dead. Shows how much he knew.”
Wow.
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:06 pm
@emo
Of course he does… his religion is the RIGHT religion and all the other ones suck. And so does science! *rolls eyes*
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:10 pm
Billy….I know it is hilarious. And they all wonder why Obama only has a 39% approval rating and is doomed for 2012. It is so funny that they act so blinded. Their ship is sinking and they refuse to get off.
Chuck Doberman
October 24th, 2011
4:11 pm
Regarding Huntsman, I’m not sure he’ll be able to sell what he’s pitched here. Yes, Romney is perceived as a centrist (although Joe McCarthy would be a centrist in today’s GOP) which irks the conservative base; yet he flip flops at the drop of a hat, thinks corporations are people, looks down on the poor and unemployed and never met a tax cut he didn’t like regardless of circumstance… traits that endear him to that same conservative base.
Huntsman is more direct, more realistic and more aware of the plight of the common man… which means there’s no way he’ll be perceived as to-the-right of Romney… which means he’s got a Hindu’s chance in Heaven of securing the GOP nomination.
What is beyond me is why Romney is even being considered. The republican party has turned so far to the right in the past 10 years that he no longer belongs there. His base dislikes him… greatly, yet he continues to be at the top of polls. Why? Why don’t y’all just nominate Santorum or Bachmann or whatever whackadoo represents you best? If y’all want creationism in schools, gay marriage and abortion outlawed and English to be the “official” language then vote for someone who will do that for you. Personally I’m looking for someone who won’t immediately reenact and amplify the same fiscal policy that put us in the canyon we sit in economically, someone who uses our military as a last resort and not for Daddy’s revenge and someone who identifies as much or more so with the common citizen than the lobbyist/CEO. Yeah, I’m still looking
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:12 pm
emo…you find that hard to believe but you think we all came from monkeys? HAHAHAHA
Selective reasoning eh?
UGA 1999
October 24th, 2011
4:12 pm
However sometimes I do see a baby gorilla and it makes me reconsider evolution….hahahaha
DW
October 24th, 2011
4:13 pm
Jumping on a ship that screws over the poor and middle class to the benefit of the ultra rich is not the boat for me. Sorry bud
Billy Bane
October 24th, 2011
4:15 pm
“Jumping on a ship that screws over the poor and middle class to the benefit of the ultra rich is not the boat for me.”
Obama is rich and receives lots and lots of cash from “evil companies.”