Jon Huntsman: The Would Be Republican Presidential Candidate Democrats Most Fear

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2071003,00.html

Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman has just proved he can keep 1,100 graduating college kids awake for 17 minutes — and even led them in a popular local cheer about kicking ass. But Obama's lean, understated former ambassador to China is really here to prove he can mount a credible campaign against the man he was working for a week prior. In a brightly lit cinder-block room inside the sports arena where the University of South Carolina has held its commencement, the former Utah governor jokes that the stark setting of our interview — his first since returning to the U.S. — suggests he might be in for some "enhanced interrogation."

But if that's what I'm up to, then torture really doesn't work, because in several sittings and a couple of hours together over a week's time, I don't even come close to getting him to spill such puny secrets as whether he thinks we should be in Afghanistan or Libya ("There will be more to say about that"), in what ways he disagrees with Obama ("I don't want to get into specifics") or, for that matter, where he parts company with his fellow Republicans, including his distant cousin, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney ("It wouldn't be fair to offer an opinion without doing due diligence"). And as for whether or not Huntsman still belongs to the Church of Latter-day Saints, I know less than I did before I asked him. ("I'm a very spiritual person," as opposed to a religious one, he says, "and proud of my Mormon roots." Roots? That makes it sound as if you're not a member anymore. Are you? "That's tough to define," he says. "There are varying degrees. I come from a long line of saloon keepers and proselytizers, and I draw from both sides.")

So careful that he's disinclined to weigh in on any matter on which he hasn't been fully briefed or made up his mind, Huntsman is nonetheless plenty open about wanting to compete for Obama's job. Already he's in primary-season mode, moderating his previously moderate views by praising the Tea Party as "a very legitimate manifestation of people's anger and frustration in where we are today" and junking his support for the regional cap-and-trade carbon-emissions pact he and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once championed. "It hasn't worked," he says now, "and our economy's in a different place than five years ago." Until it recovers, he adds, "this isn't the moment" to keep trying.

While some Republican hopefuls have failed or are still trying to coax their loved ones onto the campaign bus, Huntsman's wife and their seven children are more than ready for a yearlong road trip that could begin as soon as June. "I would be extremely excited" if he ran, his daughter Liddy, 23, says. "He'd be the ultimate fresh face." ("Thanks, chief," he tells her in his usual soothing sotto voce style.)

*end of excerpt*

The article headline seems very much editorializing/propagandizing.

I live in South Carolina (unfortunately), and getting a cheer down here by talking about "enhanced interrogation", guns, or ass kickings isn't an accomplishment. If anyone is remotely against any democratic ideals, it is sure to get a positive review around here.

They sure like the nut job extremists here, and Huntsman is one of the least nutty of the bunch.

You know, when ever I hear or read the phrase "the Democrats fear", I have to laugh. It's nothing but more GOP projection. The Democrats don't fear Huntsman any more than they "fear" Palin, Huckabee, or any of the others that the repugs claim we fear. The only ones shitting their pants are the republicans. This bunch is even more despicable than the bunch they put up in 2008, and they know it.

...catapultin' the propaganda...

I wouldn't use it to line a bird cage.

But only for name recognition for 2016.

Thanks for playing

He is acknowledging roots, but fails to make any attempt to support the notion he's a card carrying, tithing paying indoctrinated mormon.

I agree with the comment that he is wetting his toes for a clear 2016 run. Extremely moderate GOP, he will likely have a better chance once the Tea Party have had a few years to mellow out and realize extremism will not get a winning foothold Presidential Politics.

What exactly is that we fear about him? That he's not as crazy as the rest of his party? First of all, that remains to be seen and secondly, the wingnuts don't like people who aren't crazy.

The fact that he served under Obama will not sit well with the wingnuts either.

Because in terms of his policies, he is still a Republican...
and in order to win the primaries, he would have to promise a
whole lot of things that Republicans like.....and what they like,
most people don't like.....so I'm not scared of him at all....
Although the media would like for us to be.


My bet though is there is a reason that the Corporate media is tearing up every GOP candidate
that shows up for the time being (except for Huntsman). Because when a candidate they like does hit the radar, like this Huntsman, they are going to try and sell him to the Republican primary voters.....and then to the general electorate....
and let me tell you...when the media decides to "sell" someone to voters,
they are mighty good at it.

Huntsman with a VP candidate like Rubio....Now that, I fear.
Not because either one would make a better President than the one we currently
have, cause I don't think that is true in any way....but because the media is very good at
dogging out our President hard, and selling what they'd rather have.

The man has no positions, he has no policies, he has no vision. And a man who has plenty of all these (aka President Obama) should fear HIM?
:spray: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

And how wrong their predictions usually turn out.

And it had the future faces of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Guess who they were?

For the Democrats, it was John Edwards. For the Republicans, it was Bill Frist.

:rofl:

They just got the year wrong; most thought he'd be president in 2012, 2016, or even 2020, not 2008.

If he doesn't realize that disqualifies him from winning the republican nomination, hes definitely not as smart as people think.

"I'm a very spiritual person," as opposed to a religious one".

That quote alone could end his campaign.

although he was well received in South Carolina where he spoke at a commencement ceremony and also met with Governor Nikki Haley. The Republican establishment is looking for an alternative to Romney--one who can win.

That's why I could tolerate him whereas I can't tolerate Gingrich, Paul, Palin and others who are just insane.

without truly knowing his policy stances on many, many issues. Issues that are more general than the minutias that Obama is criticized about each and every day.

The ironic thing about it is that Folks thought Bush Jr. wouldn't do too much harm either.....
even after he stole the election.....till he did harm.

Eight years worth of suffering for a "notion" of maybe being able to tolerate is quite a gamble!