The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Huntsman Laughs at Trump, Schedules Lincoln-Douglas Debate With Gingrich

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The Spectacle Blog

Huntsman Laughs at Trump, Schedules Lincoln-Douglas Debate With Gingrich

By Joseph Lawler on 12.2.11 @ 3:18PM

Strong move by Jon Huntsman today: after learning that, absurdly, Donald Trump will be moderating the December 27th Newsmax Republican debate, Huntsman's campaign immediately announced they'd be skipping it. A spokesman emailed The Business Insider: "Lol. We look forward to watching Mitt and Newt suck-up to The Donald with a big bowl of popcorn." This strikes me as the right attitude: anyone who would submit to becoming a prop for Donald Trump lacks assertiveness.

Huntsman also announced that he would be taking on Newt Gingrich in a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate in Windham, New Hampshire on December 12th. Given that Gingrich is, right now, leading the polls, getting time on stage with him could be a real opportunity for Hunstman.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

The Intermediary| 12.3.11 @ 4:02AM

I will be voting for Huntsman... and yes I actually vote Republican normally.

Dai Alanye| 12.3.11 @ 9:27AM

Trump is always interested in publicity, and it looks as though Newsmax has fallen for the siren song as well, knowing that those attracted to the bizarre will be watching Trump.

The minor candidates can't say no to any possible opportunities, so they must appear. Huntsman, though, is trying to make his mark as something of a maverick, and seems to be putting all his marbles on New Hampshire, so he can afford to stay away. Newt will never miss a chance to spout off, so the choice now goes to Romney.

One intriguing item is the quasi-agreement between Trump and Santorum on the matter of protection for American industry from China and other foreign competition. Trump has been claiming he's the only one to mention this, so Santorum is sure to make a point of his own proposals.

W| 12.3.11 @ 9:28AM

Gingrich would have to be stupid to debate Huntsman. The leader in the polls debating the lowest guy in the polls.

rufus levin| 12.3.11 @ 2:36PM

Watching the IMMEDIATE rush on cable for the news organizations INCLUDING FOX to try to spin the message of media failure that CAIN highlighted to make it look all like Cain is the bad guy and media were all JUST DOING THEIR JOBS.....

What a hoot...watching the kiddies get caught with their hands in the cookie jar and trying to tell momma that they didn't do it and a space alien ate the cookies all up.

HEY MEDIA....your number is HAD...all the accusations and deviation for the REAL issues into the hit job tabloid "reporting" is all in the total open, and you can watch as you get abandoned by everyone.

FOX BETTER WATCH OUT HOW THEY SPIN THIS....ROBERTS JUST STARTED THE SPIN IN ATLANTA....AND THEY ARE MISSING WHERE THIS IS ABOUT TO GO.

FOLKS, I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS AS AN INVESTOR AND CEO FOR YEARS....AND CAIN IS NO DUMMY NO MATTER HOW YOU WANT TO MAKE HIM INTO AN OVERSEXED STEP AND FETCHIT NON ELITIST....BUT WATCH WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU AND MITT AND THE GOP.

WATCH HERMAN GO ON THE LECTURE CIRCUIT LIKE SARAH PALIN. WATCH HIM ENDORSE NEWT. WATCH HERMAN AND SARAH COOPERATE WITH THE TEA PARTY TO SHUT DOWN THE WASHINGTON AS USUAL GROUP...WATCH JOHN BOEHNER AND MCCONNELL GET THE RASBERRY AND WATCH NEWT AND THE SUPPORT RISE TO THE TOP AS JON AND RICK AND RICK AND MICHELLE AND PAUL DISAPPEAR OFF THE SCREEN......

YOU ARE SO LEFT IN THE DUST BIN OF YOUR OWN CLEVERNESS....ROGER AILES....WATCH YOUR BOTTOM, BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE ALL THE CONSERVATIVES IF YOU SPIN THIS

Derek Tyler| 12.4.11 @ 2:15AM

Going one on one with Huntsman would be a display of hubris on Newt's part which will lead to his undoing. First, he did a one on one with Cain in a friendly format and now he presumes to elevate Huntsman's profile with this stunt.
Newt is making it easier for those who say he is a progressive plant.
A debate without Huntsman and Paul would be a chance for Bachmann and Santorum to get more attention. Huntsman is avoiding Trump as is Paul because they would not look good when questioned about China and foreign policy respectively.