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U.S. Amb. to China Jon Huntsman (left) talking with President Obama.
At the bilateral news conference with China's President Hu, President Obama was asked about his China ambassador Jon Huntsman, a former Republican governor of Utah, possibly running for president in 2012.
Obama lauded Huntsman, who was seated in the front row, saying he has "done an outstanding job" as ambassador. He cited his Mandarin fluency and that his being a Republican shows both of their beliefs that "partisanship ends at the water's edge."
Obama deadpanned: "I couldn't be happier with the Ambassador's service, and I'm sure he will be very successful in whatever endeavors he chooses in the future."
And then he delivered this laugh line: "And I'm sure that him having worked so well for me will be a great asset in any Republican primary."
Newsweek dubbed Huntsman "The Manchurian Candidate," and 2008 Obama campaign manager David Plouffe called him the one Republican candidate who makes him "a wee bit queasy." Newsweek noted that Huntsman may be leaving the door open to a 2012 run with political advisers stateside laying the seeds for a run if he decides on a White House bid.
Per NBC's Catherine Chomiak, here's the question and Obama's full answer:
AP's Ben Feller asked about human rights and then added:
FELLER: And, if I may, on an unrelated topic, I'd like to know what you make of the speculation that the gentleman in front of me, Ambassador Huntsman, might run against you in 2012. ...
OBAMA: Well, uh, first of all let me just say, I think Ambassador Huntsman has done an outstanding job as ambassador for the United States to China. He is a Mandarin speaker. He has brought enormous skill, dedication and talent to the job and you know the fact that he comes from a different party I think is a strength, not a weakness because it indicates the degree to which both he and I believe that partisanship ends at the waters edge and that we work together to advocate on behalf of our country.
So, I couldn't be happier with the Ambassador's service and I'm sure he will be very successful in whatever endeavors he chooses in the future.
And I'm sure that him having worked so well for me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.
Leave a Comment:
I love a President who can think on his feet!
Especially when it's done with such candor; California Girl.
am with you cali- girl. He's smart and generous.
I will have to agree, great one liners are impressive, no matter who says them.
Just makes one all tingly doesn't it.
Hell, over 50% of us love a president that can think, period.
The other < 50% can't think.
LL
You're right over 50% of us still love President Bush.
Which one????
I hope Ben Feller feels as 'small' as his question... He was obviously trying to embarass the President - who in turn gave him a pretty fine 'smack down'...
I agree. Hope Feller gets a smack down from his employer as well for asking such a partisan question.
Why on earth is this a "partisan question"???? For heaven's sake--The leader of the free world can surely handle a question from a reporter about the politics of a possible opponent in his own administration--
His employer would laugh at the idea that the question was off limits. (do you people understand what reporters do???)
Anyone have the 'skinny' on "Beck does a Boehner"? What't the little guy blubbering about today?
I think it is that both tend to be very emotional fellas and tend to cry publically a lot!
Beck is now equating himself to Dr Martin Luther King in the book he wrote. RMBAOFWL
This guy is a delusion megalomanic. One day he's Mother Teresa, the next day he's on the roam hunting progrssives with his vampire sword.
Really he is a pile of human excrement.
He's also getting ready to bring his show, opps, I spent scam to Ohio to save America.
RMBAOFWL
Hey I think I know what this means:
Rubbing My Big A$$ Over Fries With Liverwurst
Is that right?
He's trying to sell amother book he didn't write.
LL
Hello America, my lands someone better run in 2012, someone better run in 2011, because we don't currently have a President in the Whitehouse, don't ask me how this type of thing was allowed to happen? who is this Barrack Obama and what is he doing making comments for the People of the United States? even tho a person may be charismatic that doesnot quallify them to fill public office, """
Would you like a little cheese with your whine?
Actually the writer of the article suggests that the governor "suggested" that the long form may not exist. There is no quote from him in that regard! The governor said he was looking for it!
And since when is the Senate Majority leader in line to be president?
Congrats for getting everything wrong in your post.
Honestly, I doubt the state where I was born could find my "long form"; that said, they'll keep looking and likely find it.
Keep dreaming there Fezzy Bear; also suggest you study the Presidential succession, it is in the Constitution, the right claims superior knowledge of the Founding document but apparently, they aren't honest about that either.
Exodite Dragon
Would you like a little cheese with your whine?
I'd like some cheese.
Now this isn't imaginary cheese is it? I keep seeing references to "popcorn" on here but it's never real.
That Barack Obama is one sharp dude.
Has anyone thought how many people from Hawaii probably can't produce the "long form" birth certificate? How do they prove the were born in the US? My oh my! What if the Gov finds the "original"? Then, what will the Birthers have to come up with to harass the President??? When are these mentallly challenged folks going to accept the inevitable? Obama's mother was in Hawaii when she delivered, folks. It's in the newspaper. She couldn't have planned ahead and planted that news unless she was clairvoyant???
His sense of timing that is one of the things I love about the President. The last one was pretty quick to especially with thoses flying shoes.
were they 'wing' tips?
(sorry....)
Someone should tell huntsman there appears to be a muskrat sleeping on his head.
There is only response to Fezzy Bear: Idiots!!!!
There is only response to Fezzy Bear: Idiots!!!!
I think it's only one person.
slimsignet
RMBAOFWL
Hey I think I know what this means:
Rubbing My Big A$$ Over Fries With Liverwurst
Is that right?
Rattle, clatter , clatter, clatter, boom boom, bang; that's the sound of me knocking my head up against a wall. After all the flack I get her for being black you mean to tell me you did not know what that meant?
It's good to find a thread around here with a little humor and very little nonsensical vitriol in it, Mr/Mrs/Ms/ Bear notwithstanding.