Politico: Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the U.S. ambassador to China, sent a resignation letter to President Barack Obama on Monday and now is likely to explore a Republican presidential bid, a close associate told POLITICO.
In a letter hand-delivered to the White House, the former Utah governor said that he wants to return to the United States by May, the associate said.
GOP allies of Huntsman have already begun laying plans for a quick-start campaign should the former Utah governor decide to enter the ill-defined Republican field.
While Huntsman has no direct involvement in it, a group of operatives that could eventually comprise his strategy team has set up an entity called “Horizon PAC” to serve as a placeholder for his political apparatus. [MORE]
Needless to say the administration is already sounding rather snarky about the whole thing. They appointed Huntsman to take him out of the running in 2012. Instead they ended up giving him massive foreign policy experience. How does that old saying go; "one good screw deserves another"?
Jon Huntsman is the perfect Romney clone.
- Moderate RINO - check.
- Mormon - check.
- Good Hair and presidential looks - check.
- Very wealthy - check.
I for one am glad Huntsman may run. This is because so many conservatives are still looking for "The One". The risk here is that conservatives could end up casting their votes all over the place, while the establishment and moderate Republicans quickly coalesce around Mitt Romney and give him the nomination. With Huntsman (and hopefully other RINOs) running, the establishment and moderates will face the same dilemma as conservatives. This will make the chance of a true conservative winning the nomination more equal.
I think Huntsman stands a good chance of raining on Mitt's parade. Surely, moderates and establishment Republicans must be worried that Mitt is going to struggle mightily at the hands of conservatives. Perhaps, they will look at Huntsman as a less caustic option.
At any rate, I say, bring on the RINOs!
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
I think Huntsman stands a good chance of raining on Mitt's parade. Surely, moderates and establishment Republicans must be worried that Mitt is going to struggle mightily at the hands of conservatives. Perhaps, they will look at Huntsman as a less caustic option.
At any rate, I say, bring on the RINOs!
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
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12 comments:
He's very attractive, that will get him a few votes.
One of the main problems with the GOP establishment, in addition to all the assorted problems you've mentioned and referenced, is that they tend to go by who's "turn" it is to run. That's how we got stuck with McCain (and the msm were pushing him, too, remember? they knew he'd be beaten to a pulp by BO). It's Mitt's "turn," so he'll get the establishment nod. This won't be changed by mini-Romney throwing his hat into the ring. It may, however, be stopped by we, the people, if we can just find the right person we can all rally behind AND who will then go on to win the general. That's a tall order.
Some might claim that this is reflective of China's influence; but i don't see that. What it is a reflection of is: how certain Americans have withdrawn from the Reublican Party since the 90's. Especially to now -- where they don't even bother with third party's. Since paleoconservatism has seemingly at least been marginalized -- the Republicans pick out of a bunch of compromising neoconservatives -- that will not offend the opposition.
JACG:
The looks factor will get you far. We are a fickle lot.
Fuzzy Slippers:
The "he is next" factor is powerful. But establishment types alone won't pull Romney over the line if conservatives consolidate.
finding the right candidate may not be as tall an order as you think. So long as we pay attention to actual political climate and not MSM's harpings and early polls. They are all designed to give Obama's second term a sense of inevitability.
Whitey Lawful:
Since paleoconservatism has seemingly at least been marginalized -- the Republicans pick out of a bunch of compromising neoconservatives -- that will not offend the opposition.
If the GOP follows this prescription this time round, we are guaranteed Obama's second term.
I think you make a very goog point that Huntsman will be Romney-lite and whatever votes he does get will likely come at Romney's expense.
I look at those two and I can't help but think that one of them implemented the precursor to Obamacare and the other worked for Obama. And they think that's going to appeal to primary voters who went with staunch conservatives like Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, Allen West, and Rand Paul? Not this cycle, and hopefully never again.
-- SCITT
Just the thought that the Obama admin. sent him to China to remove him from the 2012 race is a BIG indication they would be worried about him beating Obama. I do know enough about Jon's dad to know that if he has the same ideals and values, he is a true conservative who respects the Constitution. But, I don't know if Jon Huntsman Jr. (now ex-ambassador to China) has fallen straight down from the proverbial tree or too far away from it.
I hope he is not a RINO.
I think Romney is wrong to distance himself from the Tea Party which originated because Washington was treating the Constitution like it was cage lining - which is unacceptable.
SB Smith
Mister Clifton B -- who do you have in mind?
Scott:
I think Romney and Huntsman both are clinging to the 2008 play book. They believe that conservatives will simply go along one way or the other. The flaw with their plan is that conservatives are very active this time around. Sooner or later conservatives will find a way to stick a fork in their plans.
SB Smith:
So far everything I have read about Huntsman indicates he is a moderate. Not so changeable like Romney but certainly not conservative like Palin or DeMint.
If I had to guess, Romney is distancing himself from the Tea Party in order to appear moderate. However, if the Tea Party was to become the only way to win, Old Mittens would don a George Washington outfit.
Whitey Lawful:
Since none of these folks have officially announced, my tentative list in this order is:
Palin
DeMint
Cain
Ron Paul if he looks like he can win the nomination (doubtful). I am not considering anyone who has no chance of winning the nomination. This is because I don't want to help any RINOs win.
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