Jon Huntsman Has 2012 Momentum in Media, If Not in Polls

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I would say the disconnect between Huntsman and the GOP core is that Huntsman's discourse is marked by rationality and common sense -- and those qualities do *not* play well with the current GOP rank and file.
There are many in the broader media who apparently long for a time when the Republican party was the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. But those days are gone. It is now the party of logic- and science-rejecting neo-know-nothings like Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum.
My advice: get used to it.

KS2 Problema of CA 2:43PM August 27, 2011

is naturally discredited by those who want politicians to rant, not display common sense.
He and Ron Paul would DO what is needed - dismantle imperial America and return it to a country focused on the quality of life of its citizens - not global dominance and military occupation. Both men are spiritual, but do not push the role of the church in politics - something the constitution promotes.
Of course the Kochs would never support that - so the big money is going to the reactionary types in the GOP/TP. Huntsman and Paul will never get the wingnut support of the far right. Too bad. These two are much more about the average person having a better life than and Tea Party who wants a fascist/corporate state.
NO voices in the GOP trying to moderate the message, so I guess they are willing to give up solid conservatism for fringe messages (secession, traitors, gas prices cut in half, cutting off social programs while growing the military, environment haters, education defunding, etc...). This grup is more worried about winning than they are about standing for anything.
The Tea Party is running the GOP. Rational types like Huntsman don't get traction because they don't pander to special interests. Too bad. They used to sometimes get my vote, but not right now - too many crackpots and fakes in control...

DeeToo of SC 9:48AM August 26, 2011

is jon huntsman gay?

joe of NV 10:35PM August 25, 2011

@ Michael of TX, I bet you would like a Paul-Huntsman ticket against Obama... so would everybody else on the far, far left... that ticket would be the only ticket that would give an absolute guarentee that Obama would win the White House in 2012. Isn't also a wonder why so many on the left think Ron Paul is a good candidate... how the ladies ont The View like to coddle hime... they could only dream of a combo that has the appeal of a Mr.Magoo-CabanaBoy ticket to go against Obama next election.

Dave of FL 10:10PM August 25, 2011

Huntsman's momentum with the media is exactly what is wrong with our political process... the media doesn't care about covering who is gaining traction with the American people... Huntsman, is really nothing more than a Democrat posing as a Republican who is only there so that some miniscule number of the population (even smaller than his polling numbers) can claim that he is the voice of 'moderation.'

Dave of FL 9:51PM August 25, 2011

I've been a Loyal Republican for the last forty years and have served as a paid staff member for the following campaigns in NJ: For President -Nixon, Ford, Bush I; for Governor - Cahill and Kean. Except for Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman, I would sooner not vote (or do a write-in) than to vote for any of the other Republican candidates, if they become the Republican candidate. As is always the case, the ultra-conservative right wing evangelical Republican candidate will win the primary but lose the general election. Either Jon Huntsman or Ron Paul could win the independent vote in the general, where as the others will have a tougher time selling their social conservative agenda to the moderates and independents. The most important issue will be the economy and Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul are solid when it comes to that issue.

VincentEsoldi of UT 8:34PM August 25, 2011

Sadly, Huntsman doesn't hve a chance because the GOP has shifted so far to the right over the last several years. The ones getting all the attention and making the most noise are the ones most disconnected with reality.
I like Hunstman, I think he's a good guy, and I think he would make a great team with someone like Ron Paul. To me, that is a very formidable ticket against Obama that can offer substantive solutions rather than just Raegan worshiping and soundbite sloganeering. Romney and Perry will just take us back to the Bush years...only worse. Who wants that?

Michael of TX 6:53PM August 25, 2011