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17 Jun 2011 11:28

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Politics: Early New Hampshire poll: Romney flying high, Bachmann rising fast

  • The field has a pretty obvious split: Those who like Mitt Romney and those who don’t. But there are some interesting details to note about New Hampshire Republican primary voters. First, Bachmann’s debate performance now has her polling above Sarah Palin, which is kind of a big deal. Second, Newt Gingrich is totally sucking. Third, despite many reasons to love him right now, Jon Huntsman has low polling numbers and low likability, which makes no sense. Finally, Rick Santorum is bringing up the rear — as he should. Either way, with the first big debate now in the rearview, the polling nonetheless is fascinating. source

21 May 2011 15:06

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Politics: Jon Huntsman seriously pitches for more civility in politics

  • After the shooting in Tucson when Representative Giffords was injured, we talked seriously as a nation about civility. Many Republicans and Democrats even sat together at the State of the Union. Remember that? Now, if we can just sit together and solve our problems. Civility acts as a lubricant to make the system work.
  • Former U.S. Ambassador to China (and potential presidential candidate) Jon Huntsman • Making his latest commencement speech at a university — he made one just recently at the University of South Carolina while ignoring a nearby GOP convention. Today’s speech, at Southern New Hampshire University, continued in the same kind of vein, though it focused more on politics this time. (Last time, Huntsman name-dropped Ben Folds Five, which fits in with his history as an indie rocker.) His style of campaigning is interesting — and it’s one that’s lacking from the overall playing field right now. To put it simply, why are all the good GOP candidates this time around the minor ones who may not even make a decent showing next year? source

09 May 2011 22:08

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Politics: Is Jon Huntsman unfit to run for President in 2012?

  • When the President of the United States sends you off to be Ambassador to our greatest strategic adversary in the world, you don’t sit around contemplating running against the very same President you serve. It begs the question of did you fully carry out your duties as Ambassador, or [did you] let a few things slip along the way hoping to damage the President?
  • RedState’s Erick Erickson • On the prospect of a Jon Huntsman presidential bid. While we’ve taken issue with RedState in the past, this analysis feels quite powerful. Of course, Erickson’s suspicions may well be unfounded, but the potential conflict of interest does, at least, warrant consideration. Keep in mind that President Obama appointed Huntsman as Ambassador to China in part so Huntsman wouldn’t run against him in 2012. source

07 May 2011 16:24

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Politics: Despite proximity, Jon Huntsman ignores nearby GOP convention

  • Give back — as much as you’re able. Work to keep America great. Serve her, if asked. I was, by a president of a different political party. But in the end, while we might not all be of one party, we are all part of one nation, a nation that needs your generational gift of energy and confidence.
  • Former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman • Making his first speech since leaving his post — a commencement speech for the University of South Carolina which smartly stayed away from the politics for the most part. Huntsman, by the way, wants to run for president. He made sure his speech was hip — he even dropped a lyric from Ben Folds Five! — but otherwise kept low-key. You know what was happening next door, by the way? That’s right, the state’s GOP convention, which Huntsman didn’t even make an appearance at. It’s fascinating, because a number of other presidential candidates were there. source

04 Apr 2011 15:25

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Politics, U.S.: Jon Huntsman prefers the Foo Fighters to smoking weed

  • Very few [Mormons] straddled in between, but Jon was very good at being in between– he was faithful to his faith from everything I can see– but he also would go out and hang with guys, and maybe not partake in things… I never saw him inhale.
  • Eric Malmquist, former bass player for “Wizard” • Talking about his memories of then bandmate Jon Huntsman. Huntsman was the keyboard player for the band, of which there are sadly no known recordings. Supposedly, long after they had broken up and each gone their separate ways, former drummer Howard Sharp got a page on his medical beeper, as he’d turned to a career in medicine years before. When he hurriedly returned the call, it was Huntsman on the line: “It’s not a medical emergency but it’s a rock and roll emergency. The Foo Fighters are coming to town and we have got to get tickets.” We admit, we like Huntsman a bit more after hearing this, his glaring misuse of an emergency medical pager notwithstanding.  source

09 Mar 2011 15:29

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Politics: The Obama administration tries to doom Jon Huntsman with praise

  • The things he did on behalf of this administration and the closeness in which he worked with the President, is much appreciated. And I’m sure he’ll talk about that in the primaries.
  • White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley • Referring to the Jon Huntsman, the U.S. Ambassador to China who is quietly positioning himself for a presidential run in 2012. Say what you will about the political acumen of the Obama administration, but their strategy to de-fang a potential Huntsman candidacy is clear and somewhat amusing; heap so much praise on the man for the work he did with the President that Republican primary voters won’t trust him. Obama strategist David Plouffe once identified Huntsman as the Republican he felt most threatened by in 2012, so it comes as little surprise that they’re seeking to nip his run in the bud. source

22 Feb 2011 00:42

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World: What do Libya and Utah have in common?

  • libya’s ambassador to the us has renounced his allegiance to Moammar Gaddafi, calling for the embattled leader to step down. The country’s ambassador to Bangladesh has quit, as has the ambassador in India. It’s amazing to see a country’s diplomats so thoroughly and uniformly rebuke their leader. Imagine if an American ambassador were to start making movies against President Obama? Oh, right. source
 

31 Jan 2011 11:30

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Politics: Obama’s China ambassador Jon Huntsman plots his resignation

Just a couple weeks after rumors started circulating about a 2012 presidential run, Obama’s ambassador to China is stepping down soonish. Coincidence? source

27 Jan 2011 21:48

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Politics: It’s decision time: Prospective 2012 candidates start making choices

  • no Rep. Mike Pence has announced that he won’t run for President in 2012, as many had speculated. Instead, he’ll have a run at the Indiana Governorship.
  • maybe Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is close to deciding whether or not to throw his hat in the 2012 ring, telling Politico that he’ll “fish or cut bait soon.”
  • yes?The big shocker is that Jon Huntsman, Obama’s Ambassador to China, is reportedly “leaning” towards a run. We’ll believe it when we see it. source

20 Jan 2011 10:59

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Politics: Obama laughs off U.S. ambassador’s 2012 presidential plans

  • I’m sure that him having worked so well for me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.
  • Barack Obama • Talking about former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, the current U.S. ambassador to China, who has brought up plans of running for president in 2012. Did Obama just extinguish a guy’s 2012’s chances with a single quip? It sure sounds like it. Haha. source