Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Jon Huntsman says he plans to skip a GOP debate in Iowa next week in a move that casts a positive light on the possibility that he likely would not have met the qualifications set by the event's hosts.
Instead of debating, Huntsman says he will host a town hall in the state of New Hampshire where he has been focusing his campaign's attention exclusively.
Next Saturday's debate, hosted by ABC News/Des Moines Register/Iowa GOP, required participants to earn 5% support in a national poll or Iowa polls by Monday. So far Huntsman's polling hasn't come close. He has not campaigned in Iowa.
In October, the former Utah governor skipped a CNN debate in Las Vegas, Nevada in protest of the state Republican party's decision to move up the date of Nevada's caucus. The move threatened New Hampshire's long-standing first-in-the-nation primary. The state party later moved back the date in response to pressure from national Republicans.
While the debate was being conducted in Nevada, Huntsman held another town hall in New Hampshire.
From CNN Politics
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Speaking of qualifications to be in a debate, I understand that to be in the CNN debate before Thanksgiving, each candidate had to show they had raised 500K in fundraising. So other words, the candidates who are the most owned by their donars get to debate and those more independent are out of luck. We need to get ALL outside money out of politics at the national level at the very least and make all campaigns federally funded for every candidate for national office. It is time for candidates and politicians to go back to work for us and not their owners. I heard Buddy Roemer the other day and I would bet few know he is running for President. He makes that his main point of his campaign, get private money out of politics. Plus he has many other good ideas. He actually is about the only Republican I would consider voting for, but he can not get on a debate because he has not raised enough money, which is exactly his point.
Gawd he's fine!!!
And I don't care if he's a Republican Mormon Klingon.
Goodgagamooga!!! lol!
Seeing how good-looking Huntsman is puts one in the mind of asking: "What the hell happenned to Romney at birth? Did he get dropped?
Big old bucket-head, and that creepy a$$ smile is enough to turn off voters inhis own base.
Bwahahahahahaha!!!
Dominican mama:
************
Re: Huntsman – totally agree
Good for you Huntsman......Everyday he is showing true leadership ..Instead of trying to please the far right of his party..
I think skipping Iowa was a mistake. The only positive I can see is it gives him an excuse for a poor showing there. And, I guess, if your campaign coffers are low, you have to spend where you get the most bang for your buck.
This is a bummer. Why do all the crazies flock to Iowa, but the one reasonable guy in the primary stays home.
Nonsense. Santorum is there and he isn't at 5%. Huckabee said Huntsman has not provided a reason why. All Hos decision.
SecedingfromTexas
Dominican mama:
************
Re: Huntsman – totally agree
------------------------
(Smiling).I read your comment on Perry babe. Okay, I can see how the character can obliterate the good looks, but you have to admit if he wasn't the grossly incompetent, dimwitted,bigotted loud-mouth that he is you would'nt have judged him so harshly in the looks department!
I am gratified,however, that we wholeheartedly concur in regards to Huntsman. How do you see him in the character department, I'm curious to know.
Everyone else has had a turn as the frontrunner, maybe if he just hangs around long enough he’ll end up on top.
Seems to be a good guy, but is not a conservative.
This is the second time he doesn't wanna do it. Lets make it full time never ask him EVER to another debate. Is this the Mormon way or is it Jehovah s Witness?
Ca Dream USA dream is Jerry Brown, if he lives in Calif. and if he believes his post.
@dom mama for obama: Seriously? You favor Huntsman, "because he's fine". Hopefully, American voters will exercise some intelligence before casting their votes. Basing a decision simply on a candidate's looks had a lot to do with the major mistake we have in the White House now! Don't let that happen again, Mama! Don't be an idiot again. Do your homework-girl!!
Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it does.
Donald Trump is going to moderate a debate.
Jon Huntsman is the only GOP candidate who hasn't kissed Donald Trump's pinky ring .
I have respect for him for not becoming part of a " none " reality TV show.
Fox news is turning this country into a game show , and we love , we just eat it up !
It's a good call, he's being practical. He knows he doesn't stand a chance in Iowa, he is far too moderate for their liking. Furthermore, winning in Iowa doesn't really mean anything (remember Huckabee?). He is smart to focus his attention on New Hampshire, a primary that actually means something to most conservative voters and is a better indicator of prospective success for the rest of the primaries.
mk1-well said, I saw the same thing. I stand with our president, but if it was anyone running other than Pres. Obama I could vote for Roemer. As for Huntsman, imho, he's the only one in the race with enough intelligence to get in out of a shower of rain (an old southern expression)! These other "clowns" are too dumb to realize he is probably the only one who MIGHT, be able to defeat the pres., which of course I don't want .
@Dominican mama 4 Obama
Com down baby,
I'm jealous , your hurting me !
►Dominican mama 4 Obama
Gawd he's fine!!!
And I don't care if he's a Republican Mormon Klingon.
Goodgagamooga!!! lol!◄
LMAO – Girl, could you imagine if he was just a little more to the LEFT and Biden decides to sit it out and Huntsman runs with Obama???? Dang, calm down T'sah!!!
Obama/Huntsman 2012!!!!
Huntsman is the only one in the current crop of GOP clowns that this lefty would even consider presidential timber.
Thankfully, he has shown he is a moderate, has worked for and praised the Obama administration, so of course he is toast with the Tealiban.
Obama / Biden 2012
He's skipping it because Trump will be the moderator. Look for others to get out of it, too.
Huntsman should skip on out of town and join the obama group.
He should hold his press conference just after Cain hold his and announce that he's leaving the race....cause he's done too.
It is a good thing that sanity is not in vogue with the GOP this election cycle 'cuz Huntsman would have been trouble for President Obama.
He is both smart and photogenic.