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Campaign Crawlers
The Centrist
Jon Huntsman had a busy — and empty — week
The “best” presidential nominee for the GOP, as deemed by mainstream media reporters and commentators, is always the most liberal one. So, naturally, former Utah governor Jon Huntsman is “intriguing” to some of them. At the announcement of his presidential run, journalists appeared as numerous as supporters. Some journalists like that he is “pro-immigration,” “pro-civil unions,” once supported business-killing efforts to control the weather, and subscribes to their phony definition of civility.
They contend that the White House is “worried” about him, that he is the candidate it most “fears,” etc. If so, it is hard to see why. He could capture the voters in the “center,” pundits say. No, he wouldn’t. His nomination would surely be more unsuccessful than even John McCain’s, whose similarly vaunted “moderation” left independents unimpressed enough to vote for Obama.
Self-consciously “centrist” Republicans don’t have a track record of winning the center. They just demoralize the right and lose the center, which is why the press never fails to provide the GOP with unsolicited advice on their behalf. Before the sweeping Tea Party victories of 2010, the media also counseled the GOP on the urgency of a “centrist” course.
Huntsman’s entrance into the race makes a GOP field that already looked thin appear even weaker and destined to repeat the dreary Dole-to-McCain pattern of nominating candidates at odds with the base. The only hope is that Huntsman and the other establishment Republican candidates in the race will cancel each other out.
In choosing the location of his announcement at Liberty State Park in New Jersey, Huntsman borrowed from Ronald Reagan’s campaign. It would be better if he borrowed from his politics. Clips of Reagan’s speech at Liberty State Park show him tearing into Jimmy Carter for his destructive economic policies. Huntsman, by contrast, spoke of his “difference of opinion” with a “president” he served.
Huntsman was Obama’s diplomat in China and seems intent upon treating his campaign as an act of diplomacy. His announcement speech almost sounded like an ambassadorial address, relying on a string of platitudes anyone could have uttered.
“I don’t think you need to run down anyone’s reputation to run for president,” he said. Does this extend to Obama’s reputation as president? If so, why is Huntsman running? Huntsman says he is taking the “high road,” as if politely ignoring bad policies and actions is more responsible than criticizing them.
Of course, Huntsman’s pledge of civility makes him “noble” and “serious,” according to the media’s lights. Actually, it makes his campaign look trivial, gimmicky, and out of touch. He is choosing “civility” over reality, a contrived style over substance. And yet, as even a sympathetic press hoping to prop him up had to admit, he isn’t getting the superficial externals right either. His campaign got off to a bumpy start, with aides misspelling his name on press passes and a campaign website that gave a wrong number and wrong address for his campaign.
His strategists say he is an “authentic” person — a “new” and “refreshing” Republican who “loves rock music” and rides motorcycles. All of this talk seems like a strained demonstration of something Huntsman wants to appear but is not. Why does he need to say that he prefers a “greasy spoon to a linen tablecloth,” loves rock music and motorcycles? Because he is the son of a billionaire and a Mormon who used to be governor of Utah.
He needn’t try so hard. As the Tea Party has shown, old things can be new again. The GOP is better off letting Obama be “new” and “refreshing,” hype that will be hard to sustain as the economy continues to careen.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (42) | Leave a comment
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Larry| 6.24.11 @ 6:43AM
John McCain II.
'Nuff said.
Mike D.| 6.24.11 @ 8:04AM
Yep, the official panderer, RINO, media blessing seeker, and nothing to nobody who just happens to have an "R" next to his name. Move on folks, nothing to see here!
lydia | 6.24.11 @ 8:47AM
Agree completely with the above comments. Just why do the WH and press think we're going to vote for their nominee?
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W| 6.24.11 @ 10:11AM
Michelle Malkin has an article this week analyzing Huntsman's record, which is not conservative, and she said Huntsman's campaign staff has the McCain "brain" trust. Why would we nominate someone who obama selected as ambassador, and who worked for obama?
Shamus| 6.24.11 @ 10:37AM
Endorsed by drooling moron Harry Reid.
Kenny| 6.24.11 @ 6:53AM
Huntsman has zero chance of winning anything.
Like Larry above said, he's McCain II, another drip.
Appleby| 6.24.11 @ 6:59AM
We dont need another Kid President -- especially not a Trust Baby named Jon.
For the love of Almighty God, let us bring back the Adults!
Gladius| 6.24.11 @ 7:54AM
He is a waste of time.
martin j smith| 6.24.11 @ 8:06AM
My oppinion of this guy is NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and to add to that ; FORGETABOUTIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John McG| 6.24.11 @ 8:18AM
Agree completely with the above comments. Just why do the WH and press think we're going to vote for their nominee?
Calvin| 6.24.11 @ 11:13AM
Huntsman is part of the WH's overall strategy--convince him to run because the WH is afraid of him, etc. Then when he fails to garner any support from real conservatives the WH will complain about how "extreme" the Republicans and the Tea Party are--So extreme that a moderate like Huntsman can't even get 5% support.
Huntsman is a joke--he is a republican from Utah where the Republican Party is completely unchallenged--of course he can get things done in Utah. The Republican Party--of which I am still a member--is so strong here that they can outlaw God if they want. Huntsman is no conservative--our Nation deserves better than what we currently have and Huntsman is not the answer.
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 6.24.11 @ 8:25AM
Let MSM keep talking about this guy all they want, he's dead at the starting gate, and they're the only ones who don't know it. He's finished, and yet he's only just begun!! And this goes for Romney too, I don't care how much money he has to spend, the Folks are not behind him, and he's not going to buy our vote.
Doorgunner| 6.24.11 @ 8:29AM
I would vote for him over Obummer... but I'd vote for a footstool over D'ohbama. Actually, I think I'd prefer the footstool to the media's pet RINO.
Larry| 6.24.11 @ 8:31AM
Dingy Harry Reid has endorsed him. What does that tell you?
Alky| 6.24.11 @ 1:09PM
Huntsman donated to Harry's Senate race :(
Republicans need to look at who the Dems and media are most afraid of, not who they like the most!
Anthony| 6.24.11 @ 9:54AM
Yes, Bush took the "high road" as well, and all the "new tone" got him was years of unbridled and unanswered vile vitriol from the lying whores in the D party and the LSM.
Thanks also to Karl Rove, the clueless, gutless, Pillsbury Dough Boy.
Ya just gotta love the whores in the LSM, gushing over this McCain-lite, (ah yes McCain, a Huntsman with an anger management problem) as if any conservative with an I.Q. of Nancy Pelosi's would fall for this white haired pinata.
I'll tell you who really scares the crap out of the Muslim Marxist and his media whores... SARAH PALIN!!!
Her idea of civilty and new tone is to not gloat after she smacks down the Muslim Marxist and transform the community organizer into roadkill. Oh, she might slow down long enough to make sure he's not suffering, and if necessary, smack him down again.
Gary| 6.24.11 @ 10:13AM
Of course he's a media darling because in the remote chance he would win the presidency, he would be the closest thing to a Dem. Anything is better than having a conservative president,
USSAlabama| 6.24.11 @ 10:31AM
He IS a Dem -- that's why we call him RINO.
J.C.Eaton| 6.24.11 @ 10:14AM
A warrior comes to fight....Mr. Huntsman[despite the moniker] ain't no warrior.
Groad| 6.24.11 @ 10:57AM
Levin had the perfect work to describe this weenie. He's a Nebbish.
Sam Vaughn| 6.24.11 @ 11:07AM
Boring, uninspiring, cowardly, mush. Those were the words that came to mind when I heard Huntsman's "speech" at the stature of liberty.
loulou| 6.24.11 @ 11:41AM
A nonentity with money.
Mike Hawk| 6.26.11 @ 10:03AM
Enough about Huntsweenie's strong points, what are his weaknesses.
Calvin| 6.24.11 @ 11:15AM
Huntsman--born on third base and he thinks he hit a triple!
Dave Williams| 6.24.11 @ 11:56AM
Herman Cain would wipe the floor with this weenie.
RINOS Suck| 6.24.11 @ 12:44PM
I would never vote for Huntsman
Doctor Right| 6.24.11 @ 1:15PM
The idiot RINOS (McCain is the best example) always fall for the media's trap.
During the primaries, the media trumpets their accomplishments and calls them "non-partisan", "reasonable", and "mature".
Then once the RINO secures the nomination, the media begins ripping him a new a-hole, and doesn't stop until he couldn't get elected dog-catcher.
And the RINIO sits and scratches his head, wondering how all of his "friends" in the media could have turned on him in such a vicious way.
Huntsman won't be the nominee, so he'll never experience it.
Romney might.
Let's hope he doesn't get that far, either.
Bo| 6.24.11 @ 2:26PM
You're 100% right. That's exactly what happened to McCain. After being the liberals favorite Republican for years, he became this evil, elderly madman to them once he got the nominee.
Mike Hawk| 6.26.11 @ 10:01AM
Not to fret. The MSM loves CApt. McQueeg again and his ditzy RINO kid too.
JimmyT| 6.24.11 @ 2:29PM
George--I have one BIG complaint with your article. Why have you, and many other conservative journalist, bought into the liberal meme that repubs have a weak field? Other than Ron Paul and Newt, I see a least 5 "more than qualified" candidates that would be a million times better for this country than bambi. Please drop this lsm talking point in your future articles.
Clint| 6.25.11 @ 9:46AM
“Ron Paul cannot get elected” President, declared Donald Trump at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference. Trump, who has never run for office, let alone won an election, may want to reconsider his parroting of this common refrain: A new CNN poll finds that, of all the Republicans being discussed as potential presidential candidates, the longtime Texas congressman has the greatest chance of beating Barack Obama, while The Donald comes in dead last.
In a hypothetical match-up between Paul and Obama, Obama beats Paul by only seven percentage points (52 to 45 percent). Meanwhile, Obama bests former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee by eight points, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by 11 points, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich by 17 points, former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin by 19 points, and Trump by a whopping 22 points.
Mike Hawk| 6.25.11 @ 7:07PM
Ron Paul is a fringe candidate and his followers are kooks.
Clint| 6.26.11 @ 10:07AM
Politico-Target Point Poll:
Tea partiers in two camps: Sarah Palin vs. Ron Paul
Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.
Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.
When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. "
PattyMor| 6.24.11 @ 3:58PM
The only good thing about Huntsman getting into the race is that he will draw votes from another blow dried candidate: Romney. Otherwise forgetaboutit. We need another trust fund baby like we need more debt.
Gazinya| 6.26.11 @ 10:03AM
One thing we can expect from Mr. Huntsman is that The Scozzafozza will have a shot at being his V.P.. They are both seeking to re-elect The Obama.
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weddingdresses | 6.27.11 @ 4:52AM
The only good thing about Huntsman getting into the race is that he will draw votes from another blow dried candidate: Romney. Otherwise forgetaboutit. We need another trust fund baby like we need more debt.
Westie| 6.27.11 @ 9:56AM
Huntsman is just a reflection of the Progressive (Statist) Republicans and their co-dependancy on the Statist that now control the Government. Note how John Boehner & Eric Cantor have been thoroughly co-opted. We must be rid of the Dempublicans that infest the entire Federal Leadership.