Jon Huntsman has dismissed his New Hampshire Director Ethan Elion (as well as his wife, who is a scheduler for the campaign).

Sarah Crawford Stewart will take over operations in the state.

The campaign calls it a "simple personnel move. Sarah is very capable to take over up there. She's done this successfully before."

In about two months as a presidential candidate, Huntsman has seen his campaign manager (Susie Wiles) step down and now his New Hampshire director fired. This, in addition, to lagging poll numbers in early state polls and national ones, like yesterday's from Quinnipiac showing him at just 1%.

Here's a statement from campaign spokesman Michael Levoff:

"Sarah Crawford Stewart, a seasoned New Hampshire strategist, will be taking over many of the day-to-day responsibilities in her role as New Hampshire senior adviser. The campaign is very pleased with the leadership team we have in place in New Hampshire."

The New Hampshire Union Leader first reported the news.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Just one day after unveiling his new jobs plan, GOP candidate Jon Huntsman poked fun at front-runner Rick Perry and the rest of the Republican field, before highlighting his new tax proposals and slamming President Obama at New Hampshire's campaign trail mainstay, Politics and Eggs.

"I may not have the Texas Rangers, I might not have a large entourage," Huntsman joked to a packed house. "But I did bring a secret weapon that nobody has, and that's the finest human being I've ever know over 28 years, my wife Mary Kaye Huntsman."

Huntsman also went after the rest of the Republican field, calling for more substantive discussion.

"The fact we're not touching on the truly serious issues of the day, we are talking more about personalities. We are talking about venues where people are going to make speeches as opposed to the substance itself," Huntsman told reporters. "I think the country is crying out for substance."

In a diversion from his usual stump speech, Huntsman focused on his new jobs plan and highlighted experience living in countries "that we compete with," regaling the audience with stories from China.

Here at home though, Huntsman is having a tough time competing himself, with low poll numbers after a summer of sustained New Hampshire campaigning. But Huntsman remains confident in the Granite State and ignores the current poll numbers.

"Everyone is looking for the front-runner today without remembering we have probably had three or four front runners in the race already," he said. "And we are likely to have more in the months to come."

"We are going to win in New Hampshire," he declared to an audience picking at eggs and bacon. Huntsman made the same claim early last month.

While Huntsman attempts to break out, he said voters can expect him to maintain a civil toned campaign. "Civility can coexist with the facts," he said. He added, "All I want at this point in history is for America to save America...we have to get in the game."

Huntsman said he would balance China's human-rights abuses and economic opportunity "always very sensitively." "But the U.S. must be in the game in pushing for religious liberties and human rights, because if we don't no one else will," Huntsman said.

In a flub, Huntsman misidentified the Arab Spring as the "Jasmine Revolution," a separate attempted protest in China during his final days as ambassador.

For the presidential trivia lovers out there, apparently Huntsman doesn't care for eggs.

He declared he prefers politics over eggs at this rite of passage event.

"Politics I can do," he said, "but eggs I'm not much into. Good to see pancakes here."

Republican presidential candidates Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman and Michele Bachmann talk about Hurricane Irene and President Obama's response to the storm.

Video edited by NBC's Matt Loffman

BEDFORD NH-- The Huntsman campaign is jumping ahead of the pack and unveiling a new jobs plan Wednesday at a metal manufacturer in Hudson, N.H., one week earlier than President Obama and Mitt Romney's planned announcements.

"Governor Huntsman is going to lay out an economic agenda that would turn our economy around and allow entrepreneurs to thrive and create
jobs just as he did in Utah," spokesman Michael Levoff told NBC News in an email today.

The former Utah governor, who most recently served as U.S. ambassador to China, has been met with criticism -- as have other GOP contenders -- for not having a jobs plan. Huntsman's plan to jump start the U.S. economy is likely be a central conversation piece as he heads into six days of campaign stops across New Hampshire, the state he has highlighted as his top priority in the upcoming primary season.

"He believes its time for us to make 'made in America' mean something again and a Granite State manufacturer is a great place to start," Levoff said of Huntsman.

Mitt Romney will announce his jobs plan on Sept. 6. President Obama indicated he will make a major speech sometime in September.

AP

Jon Huntsman (R) speaks in New Hampshire Aug. 13.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Jon Huntsman has repeatedly said that "putting down shoe leather in New Hampshire" is his priority for the primary season.

But he's been off the radar here in the Granite State for more than a week. He has instead focused his energy on grabbing attention in the national press -- and via Twitter.

Huntsman's media blitz started last week with a snarky Tweet heard 'round the campaign world. Firing back at Rick Perry's skepticism of evolution, Huntsman snagged his biggest spike in followers and retweets since his campaign began, typing.

"To be clear,” he said. “I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy."

The following day, Huntsman and his family appeared in the pages of Vogue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Then the former Utah governor made an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” and tonight, he appears on CNN with Piers Morgan, showing off his Mandarin Chinese and piano skills.

Here in New Hampshire, Huntsman's national media strategy isn't bearing fruit yet.

At the New Hampshire Young Republican Straw Poll on Saturday, Huntsman remained relatively unknown. He garnered just 3% in the straw poll, behind even Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and landing closer to Gary Johnson and Buddy Roemer than Mitt Romney and  Perry, who remain the central subjects of his campaign attacks and are polling at the top of the GOP presidential field.

Huntsman’s campaign says he has seen an uptick in fundraising since his Thursday Tweet. And he is set to be back in New Hampshire at the end of this month.

New Hampshire has the most socially moderate voters of the primary states, and Huntsman, the most moderate of the GOP candidates, needs to do well here.

*** UPDATE *** The Huntsman campaign pushed back, saying they have spent more time in New Hampshire than any other candidate and a profile of Huntsman appeared on the front page of the Concord Monitor Saturday.

NASHUA, NH -- In the last day of his week-long swing through New Hampshire, Jon Huntsman jabbed the Romney campaign, calling for accountability in campaign fundraising in response to the report about a mysterious $1 million donation to a pro-Romney Super PAC.

"What is important on the fundraising is transparency, knowing where the money comes from and having a reporting requirement allows the voters of this country to know who is contributing, when they contributed," he told reporters.

Also on his swing through the Granite State, Huntsman declared with a smile, "We are going to win in New Hampshire. I just want you all to be the first to know."

Huntsman has one more public event in New Hampshire before heading to South Carolina tomorrow. He has shifted into high gear getting ready for next Thursday's Republican debate in Iowa -- which will be his first as a presidential candidate.

"We are preparing for the debate; we are thinking through the issues," Huntsman said. "I am staying up at night anticipating what might come our way."
 
Huntsman said he is not using stand-ins for the other candidates in his rehearsals.

In a speech to business leaders at the Nashua Chamber of Commerce today (ranging from local banks to the local branch of Five Guys Burgers), Huntsman claimed that he never thought about elected office before he ran for Utah governor.
 
"I never thought I'd run for public office. I used to make fun of people running for office!" he said to gales of laughter.

"Who around this table would be willing to run for office today?" Huntsman asked the room.

No one raised their hand, citing inefficiencies of government. Huntsman said, "See, now that's a problem."

SALEM, N.H. -- Jon Huntsman reacted to reports of campaign infighting, telling reporters, "We've got our campaign up and running. It is retooled. It's firing on all cylinders, and we're preparing to win here in New Hampshire."

As for his relationship with his long-time friend and now-ousted David Fischer, who went on the record slamming the campaign, Huntsman says he's not looking back.

"Let's just say this campaign is moving in the right directions that will allow us to win New Hampshire," Huntsman said.

Huntsman gave chief campaign strategist John Weaver a vote of confidence, calling him an "indispensable part" of the campaign.

"John Weaver is a critically important part of our team," Huntsman said. "He's our strategist, has been from Day One, and he will be.  He's a great friend."

Huntsman also addressed the 260-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this morning, saying, "There's no confidence in the economy right now. The Dow has fallen steadily over the last eight to nine days."

He added, "This is direct result of very little confidence in the marketplace. The marketplace is crying out for confidence."

Huntsman is headed next to Derry, N.H., where he will meet with more voters. He wraps up in New Hampshire tomorrow and travels to South Carolina this weekend.

AP

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R)

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Scenes of internal tensions, tears and disorganization within Jon Huntsman's campaign spilled into plain view before dawn this morning, with a new report from Jonathan Martin at Politico detailing internal discord among senior staffers and campaign strategist John Weaver.

According to Politico, David Fischer (a long-time family friend of Huntsman and Huntsman's father) who was asked to exit the campaign by Weaver, said Huntsman's early failures were rooted in Weaver's problematic management style and "verbal abuse." Fischer recounted worry among family and staffers at Florida headquarters and disclosed previously unknown staff resignations.

When NBC News asked about overall campaign strategy here yesterday, Huntsman said it is not his responsibility.

"Listen I am not going to get into strategy," Huntsman said. "I don't do strategy for a living; I am the candidate. I have a message and I have a vision, and that's my job."

This morning, spokesman Tim Miller called the new developments mere "inside-the-beltway banter."

"Gov. Huntsman is very confident in the campaign's leadership, including John Weaver," Miller told NBC News in an email and phone conversation. "The campaign is on a path to victory with trusted advisers, the right message, and most importantly, the most-prepared and most-accomplished candidate in the field. He's focused on solving this nation's problems, not inside-the-beltway banter."

Today, Huntsman continues campaigning through New Hampshire with a meeting at the Salem Chamber of Commerce and a speech to the Derry Republican Committee.

*** UPDATE *** Miller contacted First Read to clarify that Huntsman is confident in the campaign's leadership and that includes Weaver.

*** CORRECTION *** Miller did not misspell John Weaver's name. That was First Read's mistake.

ROCHESTER, N.H. -- Jon Huntsman went for a ride on local GOP city council candidate Brian Albertelli's ’09 Street Glide Harley Davidson.

"Thanks man, you just made my week," the moderate former Utah governor told the man upon return (after telling him how nice the brakes were).

But Albertelli said he isn’t ready to let it ride with Huntsman in the GOP presidential primary just yet.

He said he has seen Rep. Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, former Sen. Rick Santorum, and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in person also and is still undecided.

Just because Huntsman rides motorcycles, Albertelli said, it doesn't mean he has his vote. Chief among Albertelli’s concerns -- that Huntsman worked for Obama as his ambassador to China.

Video shot by Jo Ling Kent; edited by Domenico Montanaro

MANCHESTER, NH -- Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman took a jab at GOP front-runner Mitt Romney's relative silence in the debt debate.

Over the past week, Romney had declined to take a position on the dueling debt plans originating from Capitol Hill. Then this morning, more than 12 hours after President Obama and congressional leaders struck a deal, Romney issued a statement opposing the agreement.

When asked about Romney's silence -- and then his opposition -- Huntsman said at a media avail here, “It’s easy to take a political position later on. It’s tough to take a position early on, which is the real world.”

“These are real world issues, and leaders step up and they take on these real world issues and make decisions,” he added.

Huntsman was referring to his much earlier endorsement of House Speaker John Boehner's debt plan, and then his backing of the compromise deal.

It wasn’t simply Romney’s GOP rivals who scolded the former Massachusetts governor.

Bill Burton, the former Obama White House deputy press secretary who's now leading an outside group supporting the president's re-election, charged that Romney's opposition to the deal amounted to siding with default.

"At a moment that calls for courage and leadership, Romney has buckled to the furthest right wing of the Republican Party, undermined John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and given aid and comfort to those who prefer default over compromise," Burton wrote in a memo.

MANCHESTER, NH -- With 21 fresh staffers on the ground and a newly minted campaign chief securely in place, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman this week launches an aggressive campaign blitz across New Hampshire, hoping to gain ground on GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney.

The former ambassador to China, whose national poll numbers have been stuck in the single digits since he threw his hat in the ring, kicks off a packed schedule today, with a visit to FIRST, a non-profit science education program for kids. Huntsman will then criss-cross the Granite State with family in tow to meet voters, tour factories, and talk with business leaders almost twice daily for the rest of the week.

"Gov. Huntsman is happy to be back in the Granite State this week to present real solutions to getting American back to work," Michael Levoff, the campaign's New Hampshire spokesman, told NBC News.

Huntsman wraps up the weekend in South Carolina on Sunday, when he'll participate in a town hall hosted by GOP Rep. Tim Scott.

The weeklong caravan through New Hampshire is expected to be a departure from what Huntsman knows best: good old diplomacy. As ambassador and now-candidate, Huntsman until recently has been reluctant to wade into the usual political in-fighting. His campaign now seems to be more focused on pointed campaigning -- with Huntsman criticizing the GOP field and chiding President Obama.

But even his digs at the competition remain diplomatic at their core. "My fellow candidates, and I love them all, aren't offering any realistic solutions or are ducking the debate entirely," Huntsman told a few hundred College Republicans at their national conference on Friday.

His reaction to the debt ceiling agreement? Ever the peace-maker, Huntsman said it was not his "preferred outcome," but a "positive step."

Though struggling with relatively low name recognition in New Hampshire, some are confident that Huntsman could be ready to take off.

Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing, observed Huntsman as ambassador to China and himself served in both the Obama and Bush administrations.

"Other candidates come out of the gate throw everything at you all at once. Voters may start to realize certain candidates look good, but overtime they lose their shine," Haenle told NBC News. "I think Huntsman is the opposite. He might not attract attention all at once, but over time he'll build up momentum."

NBC News has confirmed that Jon Huntsman campaign manager Susie Wiles has quit the campaign, and she's being replaced by top communications aide Matt David.

Huntsman senior adviser John Weaver says in an email:

"Susie has served the campaign well and was vital in getting it off the ground in such a short time-frame. In just under three months Gov. Huntsman has returned from China, launched a campaign and created a strong infrastructure in the 3 early primary states. He's built important relationships with donors, as well as political, policy, and grassroots leaders that other candidates have been courting for half a decade."

More from Weaver: "Now the campaign is moving into phase two which will be more aggressive from a messaging and tactical standpoint and Matt is prepared to take that on."