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Subscribe to RSSWe noted earlier today in First Thoughts, Jon Huntsman’s thinly veiled attack on Mitt Romney’s record as governor of Massachusetts.
After touting that Utah when he was governor was, what he claimed No. 1 in job creation, he added, “That compared and contrasted to certain states like, say, Massachusetts that I'll just pull out randomly -- not first but 47th.”
It obviously wasn’t so random, and this afternoon, his campaign ripped off the veil posting on its Web site (and Tweeted out) some opposition research on Romney with the headline, “Mitt Romney Did Not Lead a ‘Dramatic’ Turnaround of His State’s Economy.”
We've noted before that Huntsman's path is to beat Romney in New Hampshire, where Romney leads big and Huntsman barely registers.
*** UPDATE *** The Huntsman camp also put up this post: "Jon Huntsman Created More Jobs in Utah Than Romney Created in Massachusetts."
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Huntsman may be the only person in the entire Republican field worth taking a look at. He refuses to sign all these stupid pledges, including the one from Norquist and seems to have a clue on governing. He also seems to be more guided by common sense, not rigid ideology. Of course, he doesn't have a prayer in the Pug primary.
Generally, I agree with your assessment. And as long as Huntsman is in the race, there will be at least one speaker with sane presence who can affect the tone and character of the discussion.
What that will do is throw a sharp contrast on some of the zanier right wingers in the field. It's a bit like seeing that lovely lady at the bar late at night, when the lights are dim and the beer goggles get a little thicker. At closing time when they turn up the lights, even the beer goggles may not help any more. (And yeah, we could invert that simile and make it a guy who suddenly doesn't look so good, either, to an observing female patron.)
I feel bad for Huntsman, because he doesn't realize Republicans don't care who created more jobs, because they are not interested in job creation.
See: Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin and Maine, at the state level, and the Republican controlled U.S. House of Representatives since 2010. Bills to create jobs? No.
When will you people realize that the simple fact that you like him is reason enough that he will not win the nomination? You don't get to pick the Republican candidate.
The sooner Huntsman get out, the better.
Oh, no ... a lovely huntsman on some trisket crackers is a delicious snack. Yum.
Ah, the power of cheese!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsman_cheese
Actually, we do get to pick the Republican candidate. We can vote in the primary. All you have to do is switch to the Republican side for the primary and vote for the Democrat in the general.
Well it's not because we like him. It's because the insane Tea Bags can't relate to sane thinking. All you have to do is take away rational thinking and sanity and voila...you're a Tea Bag and you end up with Michelle Bachmann as your candidate! Thank goodness for sanity!
Although I disagree with many of his positions, Huntsman is the smartest GOP candidate in the current crop but he probably cannot win the GOP primary in 2012. He faces the same primary problems that Romney does--Tea Party fanatics.
P.S. There are far left fanatics as well so don't get too worked up.
Al, we dont care what Democrats think, we will choose our own nominee, thank you.
Democrats always advise the GOP to choose the supposed 'moderate' candidate. However, the Dems dont seem to take their own advice about 'rigid ideology' , nominating rigid ideological liberals like Kerry and Obama.
Huntsman is a solid conservative on most issues, so I wont hold it against him, that the Left uses him to attack the GOP....
Go ahead Bob. Pick Michelle Bachman. Make my day!
Trump is still available!
Newt anyone? Ah huh... I said Newt!
Well, well, well . . . seems like a little thing called "reality" may have just been introduced on Planet Talking Point.
Sen. McConnell just cried uncle . . . and the debt ceiling theatrics begin to wind down . . .
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/12/us-usa-debt-backup-idUSTRE76B5Y920110712
Awesome news Nash!
That's what I would call a 'check-mate' by our President with these clowns!
Let the right wing howling commence in 3...2...1...
Now I really want some *popcorn* lol
That is a fascinating story, Nash. The parliamentary procedure mechanics of it are really incredible.
I always advised candidates with whom I worked to begin their campaigns by sitting down and reading the rules - whether of their party's nominating conventions, or their state (municipal, county, etc.) elections procedural regulations. But McConnell pulled one out of the rule books that is absolutely obscure!
Let's see if this is what happens.
Thank you Nash! This is about as exciting as politics gets.
That is what you call going turtle Mitch!
Great news Nash, I just read the article! Thanks for the link. I know the "Noise" will start soon, but I hope this "manufactured crisis" will get sorted out post haste. Would be wonderful if it is just that simple.
Thanks Nash. Let's hope it becomes a deal.
Nash and John A....
Talk about obscure....and it will work.
From Reuters:
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell proposed a "backup plan" on Tuesday that would allow a divided Congress to raise the debt ceiling with just the votes of Democrats.
The complicated legislative maneuver would avert an imminent default and let Republicans wash their hands of the politically toxic issue.
As outlined by McConnell, President Barack Obama would formally request an increase in the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, which Congress would reject through a "resolution of disapproval."
Obama would then veto that resolution and send it back to Congress. If Congress failed to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override a veto, the debt ceiling would effectively be lifted by the amount Obama had requested.
Seems the Senate is a lot more conciliatory than the House and perhaps a whole lot more mature as the senior house understands the ramifications of default. They don't want the blame to fall on the GOP.
On a previous board White Collar noted that 70% of Americans don't think the Debt Ceiling shoud be raised. Give the power to the President. Let him raise it. If he wants to lead, then lead. In the end only the President will be held responsible.
There is no way that Harry Reid and the President are going to buy into this, but now McConnell can say he offered. Actually, pretty brilliant move if you ask me.
I tend to agree. Let's see what cuts the guy proposes to go with the increases and remember he needs to ask 3 times before the next election. It will become so obvious what a shill this guy is that nobody- well maybe not you, Navy, Bev and the other Libsrus gang - would vote for him
An interesting concept, Ira. Part of me would like to see this done so that the whole debt-ceiling discusion can go away and we can focus on jobs, etc. Another part says--why should the Democrats bail out the Republicans with their own constituencies and give them a campaign point to make? Seems to me it is always the Democrats who enter into these compromises and never the Republicans.
Steeler Fan-380417...
Simple, cause the Democrats are the caretakers of the poor, elderly, socially disenfranchised. They are the party under which our social insurance entitlements were passed as well as the greatest civil rights legislation of the modern era.
Democrats have more to lose so they give up more to protect what they deem as core values.
Wow, Ira---what a great statement of why the Democrats do what we do. When you put it that way, it is worth the compromises, isn't it?
Thanks Ira for answering Steeler so well! In short, Steeler, its who we are. Be proud!
What is the saying, Savvy Senior----there is no zealot like a convert? As a former Republican, I am proud to be a Democrat!
No one cares what Huntsman says or Romney for that matter, we need debt limitation increased because the TEA/GOP will get all the blame!
President Obama cannot guarantee monies for expenditures, but Congress can! Conniving GOP taking the debt crisis to brinkmanship. Every previous president received a "Congressional Housekeeping" Debt increase but this current 112th Congress would rather create a catastrophic event bordering on an apocalyptic dream of world depression rather than handing President Obama any debt increase! John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and Eric Cantor have proven beyond any shadow of doubt they are the leaders of a bigoted and prejudiced minority party. The audacity of these narrow-minded complaining that the richest people are to be protected because they create jobs with lowers taxes is a slap in the face of any realist. John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and Eric Cantor are all crippled with the TEA party holding their chain! The top dogs of the TEA/GOP parties cannot convince Americans that shielding the richest and the mega-corporations is valid in any shape or form!
Isn't it wonderful to see Republcans tearing each other aprt! Romney's 47th in job creation! will wonders never cease. Romney's right up there with Harely Barbour..