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FRANKLIN, N.H. -- While the rest of the pack campaigns in Iowa, here in New Hampshire Jon Huntsman is playing the electability card aggressively, calling himself the only viable alternative to Mitt Romney. Today, the former Utah governor who is skipping Iowa said that while Iowa is key in "winnowing down" the Republican field, he believes the New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary will determine the candidates' electability in a race against an "establishment" candidate.
"Electability is not going to come out of Iowa, it is going to come out of New Hampshire," Huntsman told voters in Franklin, referring to his 6 rivals campaigning in Iowa this weekend. "Electability is what people are going to be looking for in South Carolina and in Florida."
"I think there's a natural winnowing out process that takes place in Iowa," he added earlier in Derry. "There will be an outcome and that outcome will be quickly forgotten and then you have New Hampshire."
Huntsman argues that New Hampshire "will set the standard going forward." As he tries to downplay his absence from the Iowa caucuses, he added that he believes the Jan. 3 results will be forgotten "within a day or two."
It is an ideal but unlikely scenario for Huntsman, regardless of which GOP candidate walks away with the Iowa win on Tuesday. Despite the fact he has invested everything in New Hampshire, he has trailed front-runner Mitt Romney by double digits in state-wide polls since he got into the race last spring.
However, the wide gap has not stopped Huntsman from painting the New Hampshire contest as a two-man race. The former ambassador to China has targeted the lion's share of his attacks on Romney, calling him a "serial flip flopper" and predicting he would be an "status quo" president."
"You want Romney? Everybody wants an alternative," Huntsman said. "Let's face it, they want competition in the marketplace. And they are still looking for that key alternative."
Huntsman took every opportunity to draw clear distinctions between himself and the former Massachusetts governor.
"We are two different people. How can you bring change to Congress and capitol hill when you have half of congress supporting you?" Huntsman said in Franklin today, referring to a long list of prominent endorsements Romney has received. "No way, no how."
Huntsman has received almost no national-level endorsements except for former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge.
Yet at the same time, the candidate's campaign staff also seem threatened by Ron Paul. Starting last week, the campaign have put out a series of direct attacks on Paul, who also tops Huntsman in the polls in New Hampshire. Huntsman has called the libertarian-minded Paul "unelectable" and his foreign policy untenable to audiences across New Hampshire. And last night shortly after midnight, the campaign unveiled a new Twilight Zone-themed web video that features controversial statements by the Texas representative.
When asked about the new spot today in Derry, Huntsman tried to play down Paul's role as his competition.
"You have to compare and contrast with the leading candidates in the race here in New Hampshire," he told reporters. "It's only natural and that's what people expect. That's how people can better understand you and your message."
He quickly pivoted back to the electability factor.
"But I don't believe Ron Paul can go on and win the general election," Huntsman said. "I don't believe he can put together enough mainstream support to be successful in the general election and that's increasingly the question people I think need to ask."
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I'd vote for him.
Huntsman is right, he is the best of them all !!!!!!!!!!!!! The rest are Clowns.
Funny, no one else seems to want to. He looks good in those sweaters though!
What was his qualifications again? Was it going to congress and making speeches from a teleprompter or sucking to get an ambassordorship. I guess that make everyone a genious nowadays.
Huntsman seems to be to intelligent for the dumb downed GOP base. You have to be willing to say stupid things, lie and play dirty politics to get the GOP base vote.
John is the only Republican that would stack up against Obama and could maybe make an election interesting BUT those who vote in droves during the primaries, IE the ultra conservative American Taliban, won't vote for John because his thought process isn't in line with their thought process. I believe that of the Republicans running, you could stack them all up in Novemeber and there'd be more write in votes for Dr. Spock than them all combined.
That is true Huntsman, but you took a job in the Obama administration and spoke well of him, so you are disqualified by your own party, give it up, you are too reasonable and honest for republicans in 2012.
Forrest,
I still think he setting himself up for a 2016 run. This time is for name recognition.
Repubacons balked at Huntsman because he was appointed by President Obama as Ambassador to China. The GOP doesn't like him because of that, that's shameful.
Your views are shallow like a LWNJ. Huntsman was called by his president (as pitiful as Obama is) to serve his country. 99.9% of Republicans/Americans know and respect this. Your comments are tripe.
But Ben, 99.9% of the Republicans/Americans aren't the ones choosing the GOP presidential candidate! THE TEABAGS are running the show!
And Huntsman
for that group of RWNJ's!
@ForestGrump - you nailed it; the GOP electorate that is choosing the 2012 presidential nominee is showing themselves to be incredibly stupid. Huntsman is the only one that can defeat Obama because he has the intelligence to lead the country; everyone else climbing out of the GOP clowncar to get in these debates is a fraud. The partisan hacks will argue that point - after all, that is what they are paid for, but when it's time to decide who to turn the launch codes over to, only Huntsman stands a chance against Obama in November.
first, we thought Huntsman may hold a bright future for the Republican party, but, now, we think he has spent too many years in communist china; his words echo maoist rants, and we think he has had one bowl of won-ton soup too many..
Maybe that is because he isn't totally wacko. If you stopped thinking in rhetoric, seeing in rhetoric, speaking in rhetoric, you would understand that.
Great job with the totally non-stereotypical and relevant comment.
carlmarks, The Manchurian Candidate was a movie and The Flintstones was not a history book.
Ideology,
You are confusing the poor people on the right. While they understand the Flintstones, the Manchurian Candidate may be above them. A Spongebob Squarepants analogy may work.
I'm from the right and I'm not confused, I would love watching Spongebob break rocks with Fred, as entertaining that would be, a Manchurian candidate would receive serious investigation from me. I"m sure he would be wearing mittens.....
And you liberals wonder why people like me keep on bringing up the failures of Obama. As you shoot out snide remarks on every republican candidate out there, you forget to realize that your prince is still a toad. I think you are trying to forget what a huge disaster Obama has been leading this country. You do realize that he has stated that Americans are lazy... and in certain circles another form of that thought pattern includes, good for nothing. When Obama says that, he's referring to all American's, not just one party. And you people actually support him.
Personally, I see Fred and Patrick hanging out, while Barney and Spongebob watch. But, what about the Jetson's? Can the GOP get into the Jetson's?
Brianb, we stopped wondering about people like you a long time ago. Unlike Egilman, you offer nothing but retread hatred.
BB
Sweetie, it's New Years Day, er, evening. I am tired and don't want to get into the pros and cons of each candidtate when I could safely be talking about the merits of comparing certain (not all, mind you) candidates with one of the best things Americans have come up with - cartoons!
BTW, Happy New Year BB
I would just love watching mitts giving astro a walk! (it would be the highlight of the month!)
Reading the posts of some (please note I said some) on the right is really making me crave that bed and breakfast (sans the Spam)
No, the Manchurian Candidate was George Romney, remember?
Ideology - retread hatred. Hmmmm. I like that. I'll have to remember that phrase the next time I come across a group of liberals bashing Perry, or Bachmann... or even Palin. What is it you call it? Retread hatred? Nothing like that ever occurs on First Read from the liberals, now does it? You guys are all lilly white with snow and wouldn't even think about making untoward comments about republicans. How thick the hypocracy spreads when a liberal can't fathom the fact that a conservative tells the faithful there are flaws in the emperors clothes.
Brianb, there are a number of right-wingers that post thoughtful, intelligent ideas. You are not one of them. Did Obama call Americans lazy? Why don't you check out some of the republican views. I have heard a number of them refer to people on the left as lazy.
It seems to me, the majority of posts I've seen regarding Huntsman are very positive. Unlike you, we can actually separate the person from the party, when the person doesn't just spout out the party rhetoric. Huntsman is intelligent and he sticks to his principles. I can't say that about any of the others. Unfortunately, although so far he has the approval and respect from the left and the indies, he can't get any respect from your side.
So, it seems to me we would be very willing to take this seriously, but we can't very well do that when you guys overlook the one that has potential for one of the other clowns.
Jon Huntsman. Obama-lite.
Actually, he isn't. What he is is a conservative who put country before party. In the old days, no matter what party was in power, when your president needed you - when your country needed you - you served. Alas, today's politics are so narrow minded and partisan, ah, well, what's the point. Your hatred of anything to do with our duly elected president would fall on deaf ears anyways.
Sorry for the commentary - go back to your Obama Derangement Syndrome.
phancy - I guess if anyone other than me says something about Obama, he has ODS. Well count me in on that misdiagnosed ailment. Although, my opinion of Obama is always followed by something he has, or hasn't done to lead this country. You do realize it's not personal with me. I just hate the man's politics. I hate what he says about the country I love. It's as if he has no loyalty at all, other than to himself. You do realize Obama think's YOU are lazy.
I'm conservative and I'd vote for Romney or Huntsman -- they're both geat candidates, with far better education, experience and background than Obama., even after 3 yrs. as president.
Obama's a big phony. The ObamaCare debacle is proof Obama and his administration are thoroughly
incompetent.
Americans deserve better. We need a Problem Solver, not a Campaigner.
Brian B, the President did not say we are lazy, implying that we aren't willing to work hard at our jobs or our lives. What he said was that we have become lazy about putting in the work that is required of a democracy -- continuing to earn the values and freedoms we have come to expect as inherent rights. In other words, we are the greatest nation in the world only if we continue to work to be the greatest nation in the world.
Basically, no @!$%#. Huntsman is the only person who can beat Obama in this entire field.
His arguments for himself make too much sense, especially for this Republican party. He is too moderate, too reasonable, too honest. Maybe after a few election cycles he should give it a go again, but only after the Republicans get their behinds handed too them for their idiotic sideshow known as the Republican Primary, and for driving Congress into the ground.
Exactly. He's the only one in the present field that's not a delusional whack-job and/or dumb as a box of rocks. While I don't agree with a lot of what he says, he strikes me as sincere. He also seems pragmatic and mature, with positions that have at least SOME thought behind them. I held my nose and pulled the Obama lever last time (and wasn't surprised that he turned out to be a liar and weakling) and if Huntsman is in the mix this time, I just may give him a try. It's hard to believe that he could be much worse, unless he has a stash of more Thomases/Scalias/Alitos in the wings. Given the devastation those clowns have wreaked on the state of the Constitution, we really don't need any more of their ilk. So how about giving us some thoughtful moderates for the SCOTUS, Jon?
He is a conservative, but he is the only conservative of note in this primary that puts country before party and actually means it.
Politics are fickle. This week one candidate is up, next week he's pushing up daisy's. There's nothing that says Huntsman can't make it all the way... unless it's the republican establishment. They'll sabotage his candidacy if they truly want Romney to win.
I'd ask those on the left who they would want to see as a republican candidate but that would be fruitless because they would pick someone they know Obama would beat.
I'm torn about it. I would like to have someone Obama can beat, but I'm also concerned that the voters would screw up and actally elect the idiot. At least with Huntsman, I wouldn't have a problem with him if he were elected.
Huntsman doesn't have much of a chance in the Southern Primaries--and that is the thing. NO matter what happens in Iowa, or New Hampshire, or Nevada, the candidates have to come to the South to get nominated. Frankly, they are wasting time and money kissing ass and babies in those first three states.
The Redneck vote isn't going to vote for Romney or Huntsman cause of religious issues. Ron Paul can get some play with his military stuff and his destroying 50 percent of the government chatter, but then he forgets to shut up and people get tired of listening to him yammer away. So that leaves Newt and Perry. Michelle Bachmann should probably just go home now, and try selling her book or something.
The same people that hated Romney in 2008 still hate him 4 years later, so look for more switching in the next three weeks.
Kevin,
Interesting analysis. I totally agree with you. I have thought all along that the real "meat" of the primary season will be the southern swing. I just can't get a feel for who they will go with. I go back and forth with Newt and Perry - both are southerners and that will play big.
Stupid analysis I'd say.
Interesting to note here, when a thread is about someone like Huntsman, very few on the right comment. Same with Bachmann. Makes one wonder why bother with polls, just see who responds to a thread!
huntsman should have run as a democrat.
Why?
so many democrats on here really like huntsman.
i think he would have done better if he ran as a democrat.
Actually, I dislike his policy stands, but can respect the man. Does that make sense to you? (No snark intended) Unlike others in the GOP field, many of whom I hold in little respect.
Huntsman is very conservative. Huntsman is pro-business, pro-freemarket system., he's a problem solver too.
Huntsman doesn't have a Democratic bone in his body. All you have to do is look at what he did in Utah as governor.
its weird the left likes hunstsman more than the right.
@keck
It's not all left or right of course, there's a pretty big group in the middle (that will probably control the outcome of the 2012 elections) If Huntsman were to somehow become the nominee this would probably pose a real contest. But for whatever reasons the lunatics presently running the show don't support him.
huntsman wont be the GOP nominee.
no republicans would vote for him......but democrats love this guy.
(maybe the reason why republicans dont consider huntsman)
@keck
Thanks for coming back. You are of course correct to a large degree. However, I think there'd be a pretty good chance that what few moderate republicans there are left would vote for him. That combined with independents and disallusioned democrats would stand a very good chance of unseating Obama. But to the extreme right I don't suppose that is of importance unless they can replace him with... well... one of their own kind.
well if obama is extreme left, and all the republicans are extreme right then it should be a pretty good show.
Obama is more to the center than any other candidate(Dem or Rep) in this election, and the last one.
Just because he is left of far right, doesn't make him a leftie.
@keck
Care for some popcorn?
lol
Huntsman iss a smart,cool-headed man who seems to have a reasonable track record.
Too bad that's not what the Right/left bought and paid for poloticians want.
There is definitely some truth to your statement that the two parties are not seeking moderates, but extremists. As the Republicans and Democrats have become increasingly powerful and entrenched, they have moved increasingly far from the center such that they are now diametrically opposed on essentially every issue. Because most Americans actually reside rather close to the center, this forces Americans to simply vote for the candidate that they dislike the least as opposed to the candidate that they actually feel represents their interests and ideals. This is true in both primary and general elections.
The excessive power and overentrenchment of the Reps and Dems is due in large part to the campaign finance system and balloting rules that these parties have installed for themselves, which 1) keeps these parties in power, 2) ensures that no third party can ever become a legitimate option, and 3) causes elected representatives to focus only on the needs and desires of the party with which they affiliate and the few large organizational contributors to those parties, so that the representative can ensure that he or she has sufficient funding for the next reelection campaign.
This is not how a democracy is supposed to operate. Our representatives are supposed to focus on the needs of their constituents and not the party itself. I encourage everyone to check out the American Overhaul Act at www.americanoverhaulact.org, which proposes a set of Constitutional amendments designed to correct the systemic deficiencies that are allowing these problems to persist. The Act is focused on six areas of concern: Federal Election Campaign Reform, Elimination of Party Favoritism, Congressional Compensation Limits, Congressional Term Limits, Congressional Size Limits, and Federal Budget-Deficit Reform. Please check it out, and, if you agree with the proposals, show your support for the Act, and also share it with your friends and family so that we may continue to gain the support needed to cause our government officials to take notice of this Act.
I'd vote for Huntsman, but he'll never be nominated. He's too sane.
Deb P. Huntsman is Pro Life - and his remark about the women who accused Cain of harassment - he called them BIMBOS - Sorry don't need another Republican in my bedroom
It doesn't bother me that he is Pro Life. Not much can really be changed anyway, especially with a democratic congress. It really doesn't bother me about the Bimbos because I thought at the time and still do that it was a slip of the tongue. I'm sure he wasn't thinking they were bimbos, but it was more of a shot at Cain and the fact that he was running with all that baggage and it was taking away from the real issues.
I can't say I would vote for Huntsman, but he and Paul are the only ones I would seriously consider voting for. I care more about their integrity and whether or not they would put the people ahead of party than I do about a poorly worded comment.
Overall, I like Obama and would have no problem with another 4 years. I just wish we could have a real choice instead of just praying it isn't one of the morons.
LA, Good post and l agree with that !!!
The sad thing about it is that Huntsman is right. All of the other candidates look like rejects from a really bad reality show. Three jesus freaks and a nut case. The really frustrating thing is that Obama is the most vulnerable incumbent since Carter and the republicans were unable to come up with a half-way decent opponent. So it looks like four more years of socialism and bigger steps toward American bankruptcy.
Huntsman is a man of Integrity and Honor, he will not sign that trash the GOP calls the pledge of allegiance to Grover Norquist and he doesn't like Tea. I respect him for that. He would make a good President, but my vote will be going to Obama because of the Tea-Retards in the GOP.
We don't need an alternative to Romeny. Romney is the only candidate left that has real world experience.
Romney and Huntsman both have the meat and potatoes to make a good president. But, the press likes Huntsman. The press doesn't like Romney. That gives Huntsman a huge advantage.
He is the one.
May the Best Candidate win. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
Huntsman's right. If Romney is nominated, all you're going to hear behind cupped hands and closed doors and in whispers is: You're going to vote for a MORMON?????????
I would be interested in the Lefts opinion of Obama's comments that he very well may be the 4 best President ever with the "possible" exception of Johnson, FDR, or Lincoln. He said he would stack up his administrations accomplishments in his first two years against not only those three he named, but that he accomplished more than Truman, Teddy Roosevelt, or Reagan. Now I can certainly understand why Bush, or Carter wouldn't even entertain a thought of such a proclamation, but it boggles the mind to think our current President would even start to put himself in the same league as a Harry Truman. Talk about being egotistical, and believing you're a legend in your own mind.
well, if you look at the entire quote, your post makes no sense. Obama was talking only about certain aspects of his administration (not the economy for example), and he didn't say he was one of the best presidents (he wasn't talking personally about himself - he talked about "our accomplishments" indicating that of his entire administration), and he was talking about the first two years only.
Health care reform, for example, is a huge accomplishment, attempted..and failed..by others before him. Of course, you might not think it is, but many do, so it gives obama the right to brag about it. And his foreign policy achievements are pretty solid too.
that isn't what you posted, so maybe you should start with getting the quote right to start with.
here's a clue for you - every president is egotistical. You don't get there without being so.
not that this has anything to do with huntsman, of course.
and this isn't to imply that i'm part of "the left" (whatever that means since to some it means commies, to others it means anything left of the John birth society). I just enjoy setting people like you straight. :)
And just as a further analogy, if a football coach said "our TEAM had the 4th best passing offense in nfl history" would you then say "OMG the coach just said he's the 4th best coach ever"? No, of course not.
so, obama saying "our ADMINISTRATION had the 4th best foreign policy and legislative accomplishments" is NOT the same as "obama claims to be the 4th best president ever".
Is it a big of a brag? probably. But show me a politician who doesn't brag about his accomplishments and i'll show you a politician who isn't in politics. :)
Well Vermont guy you certainly have the right to frame the remarks as you would like, and in a number of aspects you are correct, but as you surely know not everyone puts the interview in the same context you do, nor are they incorrect for doing so. You have stated your opinion based on your interpretation, as have I, and I suspect as have millions of our fellow citizens. My sense of this President who by the way has not gotten everything wrong, is that he embellished his first two years a bit more than what history will judge as a success. In his pursuit of Bin Laden and use of drone aircraft he has much to crow about, although his other foreign policy accomplishments are subjective and prone to be judged by the ideology of the judge. By the way thanks for the condescending clue.
Huntsman cannot even be considered a logical alternative to pablum.
Huntsman is the best the GOP has to offer. He is more in the middle and can obviously work with Democrats. This might make him the best either party has to offer. I am afraid that he is a little too mid stream and intelligent for the far right voters to support, but then they are always out there by themselves anyway.
as if president obama can work with republicans.
there is no compromise with obama and the other far left politicians.
as far as hunstman goes.....he would have been better off running as a democrat and challenging obama...and he might have won as a democrat in the general election, so many democrats seem to really like him.
Agreed. Too bad you have no shot at winning the nomination Mr. Huntsman given the current Tea-bagger coup in the pathetic new Republican Party.
"Only viable alternative to Romney"?
If want the status quo to change then vote for Ron Paul; Proof? Look at main stream media! Even though Ron Paul is second or first in most Iowa polls, the news media still ignores HIM! Did you know that 2012 NDAA bill passed over the holiday. Which basically will ignore or bypass the fifth and sixth amendments for Americans; if they are deemed a terrorist as defined in Title X, Subtitle D, SEC 1021(a-e).
Who decides that? What is the process?
Wake up Americans! As of TODAY you can be hauled away NO questions asked.
Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who is openly OPPOSED to 2012 NDAA bill; he called it very dangerous.
The Iowa scene is like a mud wrestle between mental midgets! At the end of it all you will get is a chaotically designated, mud covered midget.
Jon Huntsman would rather not be amongst midgets, but unfortunately the mental midgets that control the GOP/Teatards will never even make him the "flavor of the month" — or the year,