Former Utah governor and Obama administration China ambassador Jon Huntsman is either running to be the Republican nominee for president in 2012 or, more likely, the 2016 GOP primary front runner. He's been upfront about the fact that he has his eye on 2016, so it has been a bit surprising to see him making moves to run against his old boss in 2012. In any case, voters in early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina tend not to forget the also-rans are fond a long courtship.
One of the ironies of Republican presidential politics in this election cycle is that the two candidates that would give Obama a serious challenge in a general election-Huntsman and Romney-would both be lucky to get through the primaries because of the incredibly angry and fickle primary voters who seem to be able to find some kind of dealbreaker in every candidate. In Huntsman's case, he literally has been working for Obama for the last two years (prior to serving as governor, he had worked in the administrations of Reagan, and both Bushes) and is apparently a "secret progressive" because of his moderate views on social issues such as gay marriage (he supports Civil Unions) and the fact that he apparently seriously considered including a personal mandate in Utah's health reform package. Like Romney, Huntsman is a Mormon, a branch of Christianity seen as suspect by many of the Evangelicals who are crucial in early states like Iowa and South Carolina.
In less crazy times, Huntsman would be the front-runner. The man has a truly impressive resume. In addition to being a popular governor, during his tenure Utah was voted America's best run state. He's got strong fiscal conservative credentials and Huntsman presided over a historic tax cut. His Utah was deemed one of America's most business-friendly states. By all accounts Huntsman was a very good governor.
On top of his excellent record, he is rational, smart, and personable. Huntsman would have no problem attracting disaffected Democratic voters. President Obama sent him to China for a reason: Jon Huntsman is simply the strongest general election candidate in the Republican pool.
Unfortunately, these are crazy times and Huntsman would be wise to put his focus on 2016, when the economic crisis is behind us and the electorate has settled down. Hopefully, by then, the shrill and extreme right wing of the GOP will have fallen out of favor and the party will be a more hospitable place for common-sense moderates like Jon Huntsman.
WHO'D PLAY HIM IN A BIOPIC: Hugo Weaving
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