Huntsman Calls His Rivals ‘Unelectable’

Gerald · 08-22-11, 10:26 AM

Jon M. Huntsman Jr., shown on the trail this month, called remarks by two Republican rivals “extreme” and “unrealistic.”

WASHINGTON – Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor who has been stuck in the second tier of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, took an aggressive new tone during a televised interview on Sunday, saying that recent remarks from two of his major rivals were “extreme” and “unrealistic.”

He was referring, respectively, to two of the most conservative Republican candidates – Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and the latest entry in the contest, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas – both of whom have far overshadowed him in polling of Republican voters.

Mr. Huntsman singled out two areas of commentary by Mr. Perry that have drawn particular criticism – Mr. Perry’s skepticism about the human causes of global warming as an unproven theory, and his suggestion that actions by Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, to give the economy a boost might be “treasonous.”

He warned against the Republican Party becoming what he called “the anti-science party,” which he said would create “a huge problem” in 2012. In an appearance on the ABC News program “This Week,” Mr. Huntsman added, “I think when you find yourself at an extreme end of the Republican Party, you make yourself unelectable.”

Mr. Huntsman also scoffed at Mrs. Bachmann’s suggestion that, if elected president, she would help bring the price of gasoline to below $2 a gallon.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2.../?ref=politics

Note: August 21, 2011, 12:37 pm

Osmium Steele · 08-22-11, 12:14 PM

Early on, the Obama administration began commenting about how Huntsman was the only candidate with which they were concerned, which tells me Huntsman was the only candidate they were sure they could beat and wanted to sell him to the GOP as their only hope.

Not an unsuccessful strategy as it gave us John McCain.

Cynical much? Yeah, that's me.

They've since stopped trying to sell the GOP on any one candidate, as it is way too early to be effective, and are simply trying to nuke the serious opposition as they rear their heads.

For good or ill, Huntsman is too liberal to be considered a serious candidate for the GOP nomination.

Gerald · 08-23-11, 08:30 AM

"Cynical" you spoke well of common sense...

Bubblehead1980 · 08-23-11, 03:44 PM

Huntsman is a joke, will never understand how anyone who calls themselves a Republican could support him.The man is a RINO /liberal.

I loved how he tried to explain his working for Obama as "when your country calls, you go, no matter who is President" as if he were drafted in the military.Fact is, Huntsman chose to take a job offered by a far left president who liked him enough to select him, meaning he Huntsman is not much of a Republican.What a joke.

Sailor Steve · 08-23-11, 03:49 PM

I'm from Utah and never like Huntsman, but you make me almost want to vote for him.

08-22-11, 10:26 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Huntsman Calls His Rivals ‘Unelectable’ Jon M. Huntsman Jr., shown on the trail this month, called remarks by two Republican rivals “extreme” and “unrealistic.” WASHINGTON – Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor who has been stuck in the second tier of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, took an aggressive new tone during a televised interview on Sunday, saying that recent remarks from two of his major rivals were “extreme” and “unrealistic.” He was referring, respectively, to two of the most conservative Republican candidates – Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and the latest entry in the contest, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas – both of whom have far overshadowed him in polling of Republican voters. Mr. Huntsman singled out two areas of commentary by Mr. Perry that have drawn particular criticism – Mr. Perry’s skepticism about the human causes of global warming as an unproven theory, and his suggestion that actions by Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, to give the economy a boost might be “treasonous.” He warned against the Republican Party becoming what he called “the anti-science party,” which he said would create “a huge problem” in 2012. In an appearance on the ABC News program “This Week,” Mr. Huntsman added, “I think when you find yourself at an extreme end of the Republican Party, you make yourself unelectable.” Mr. Huntsman also scoffed at Mrs. Bachmann’s suggestion that, if elected president, she would help bring the price of gasoline to below $2 a gallon. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2.../?ref=politics Note: August 21, 2011, 12:37 pm __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-22-11, 12:14 PM	#2
Osmium Steele Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Upper midwest USA Posts: 1,101 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Early on, the Obama administration began commenting about how Huntsman was the only candidate with which they were concerned, which tells me Huntsman was the only candidate they were sure they could beat and wanted to sell him to the GOP as their only hope. Not an unsuccessful strategy as it gave us John McCain. Cynical much? Yeah, that's me. They've since stopped trying to sell the GOP on any one candidate, as it is way too early to be effective, and are simply trying to nuke the serious opposition as they rear their heads. For good or ill, Huntsman is too liberal to be considered a serious candidate for the GOP nomination. __________________ In the month of July of the year 1348, between the feasts of St. Benedict and of St. Swithin, a strange thing came upon England... My U297 build thread

08-23-11, 08:30 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	"Cynical" you spoke well of common sense... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-23-11, 03:49 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I'm from Utah and never like Huntsman, but you make me almost want to vote for him. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-23-11, 03:44 PM	#4
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,104 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	Huntsman is a joke, will never understand how anyone who calls themselves a Republican could support him.The man is a RINO /liberal. I loved how he tried to explain his working for Obama as "when your country calls, you go, no matter who is President" as if he were drafted in the military.Fact is, Huntsman chose to take a job offered by a far left president who liked him enough to select him, meaning he Huntsman is not much of a Republican.What a joke.