Many years ago at this point when I was once an active member of the GOP - in the days before the wholesale take over of the party by the Christianists and the debacle of the Chimperator's misrule - party leaders used to say the purpose of the party was to offer up responsible candidates and to win elections. Obviously, the concept of responsible candidates has gone out the window as the GOP has become increasingly extreme, if not outright insane. Now, to appeal the the Tea Party and Christianist base, one needs to prove himself or herself both a religious extremist and only too willing to return to the robber baron era and throw average Americans on the trash heap and allow the majority of the elderly to be faced with inadequate medical care and even poverty in their sunset years. The current field of GOP candidates underscores this sad reality. Enter Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor and ambassador to China. While in office as governor, Huntsman sought consideration on social issues. As ambassador to China, Huntsman has foreign policy bona fides that the rest of the deranged GOP field - e.g., Christofascist Mike Huckabee - lacks. But could he conceivably win the GOP nomination given his Mormon faith and disinclination to use gays and abortion to incite the haters of the GOP base. The Washington Post looks at Huntsman's possible candidacy. Here are highlights:*
Jon Huntsman Jr. was leaving for dinner here early Friday evening when he was greeted on the front porch of his hotel by another guest. “I’m looking forward to supporting you,” the guest said, “but I haven’t heard you yet.”
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The remark summed up the anticipation — and the absence of information — that surrounds the former governor of Utah. For the past two years, he was the U.S. ambassador to China, appointed by President Obama. By June, he is likely to be running for the Republican presidential nomination with the goal of unseating the man who sent him to Beijing.
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With the Republican field still taking shape and dissatisfaction with the choices evident among party activists, the little-known Huntsman and the team of advisers he has assembled think there is opportunity for a fresh face to shake up the GOP race.
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Huntsman’s first public outing post-China was a nonpolitical event. On Saturday morning, he was the featured speaker at commencement exercises for the University of South Carolina’s College of Arts and Sciences. . . . Huntsman spoke about the harsh repression of dissidents in the country he just left, rather than taking note of China’s economic prowess. In fact, he dismissed the idea that China was “the next big thing.” America, he said, still holds the world’s attention. . . . He will tell skeptical Republicans he went to China out of a sense of patriotic duty, not a personal allegiance to the president.
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Huntsman might be little known, but he comes to the starting gate with some obvious assets. He is handsome. He is enormously wealthy, thanks to the chemicals business his father built. His resume ranks with those of better-known candidates. He can point to extensive public service not only as governor and ambassador to China but also in the administrations of George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. He rides a motorcycle and played in a rock band as a youth.
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Whether he can fit himself into the new Republican Party is the big question. . . . he was compiling a record that will command scrutiny and, no doubt, questions from his rivals. . . . . That record includes past support for aggressive action to combat climate change with a cap-and-trade regime that is now anathema to many Republicans. . . . On social and cultural issues, he opposes same-sex marriage but has voiced support for civil unions. . . . Offsetting that, he opposes abortion and is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.
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Huntsman’s goal will be to convince Republicans that he is the most electable among the field of candidates. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has not taken sides, calls Huntsman “a guy to watch.” But can a former member of the Obama administration demonstrate he’s best prepared to defeat him?
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