Huntsman close to announcement
(CNN)-Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman tells CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley he will announce his intention to seek the presidency in a week and a half.
Huntsman, who resigned from his President-Obama-appointed post as the U.S. Ambassador to China in April, has been courting a bid to seek the 2012 GOP nomination for president for some time.
On the CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley airing Sunday at 9 a.m. ET, Huntsman admits "We're about a week and a half out...we are right at the end point."
The all-but-announced presidential candidate said that his whole family, which includes seven children, are on board, but that he'd be sure to check again before making his decision final-and public.
And though the former ambassador once wrote of admiration for his former boss-who would become his opponent should he secure the nomination-Huntsman has tried to distance himself from President Obama while still touting his ability to reach across the aisle.
He's stepped up his politicking in the nation's capital, dining with GOP senators Wednesday in a popular steakhouse that also serves as a political watering hole. Tennessee's Lamar Alexander, South Dakota's John Thune, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Richard Burr of North Carolina, and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma joined him.
He also had lunch with former President George H.W. Bush while visiting Maine in May.
Huntsman has claimed that he will sit out the 2012 Iowa caucuses if he competes for the GOP nomination–a decision not unlike that of another candidate who's pulling back from making a big play for the first-in-the-nation-caucus-state. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney revealed his plan to skip the Ames Straw Poll Thursday.
The former governor of Utah's timing is spot-on, as he recently told press gathered at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference that he'd discussed a run with his family and hoped to reveal more "in the next week or two."
Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.
From CNN Politics
- In 2024, Republicans may complete a historic foreign policy reversal
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Blinken subpoenaed by top Republican investigating Biden administration withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Inside the backchannel communications keeping Donald Trump in the loop on Republican investigations
- McCarthy sends letter to Biden urging more robust negotiations on the debt ceiling
- Untitled
wow another repuke
Should Americans really consider a Commander In-Chief who can't make a decision? He's been spending his time trying to find things wrong with his former boss – President Obama. He'll jump on the Republican Circus Train and start swift-boating the President rather than returning the loyalty he was given.
He is a block away and a dollar short...
Huntsman was the best Governor I've seen in Utah in my lifetime (32 years). He was able to effectively govern from the "center" in a very conservative-leaning state. He was re-elected for a second term with about 85% of the state's vote. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chineese and can truely work with both parties.
It will be had seeing him pander to the religious far-right but it has to be done to earn the GOP's nomination. I voted for Obama in 08, but I would be thrilled to see Huntsman v. Obama in 2012. I don't think you could go wrong either way in that race.
My hunch is that Huntsman will run in this cycle and fail with an eye on earning the nomination in 2016. In 2016 there may be a swing back toward middle-ground in the GOP after the tea-party and reactionaries seem to have taken over in this cycle. It seems a tradition that the eventual GOP nomination has tried and failed to earn it in the previous cycle which would put Romney in position for 2012. I'm far less enthusiastic about Romney who will be a tax-breaks for business and the wealty trickle-down President. We've seen the effects of that already.
talk about people knowing his name. Who's heard of Huntsman. Tell you one thing when all these unknowns get on the stage and try to debate, the hot air is gonna is going to cause that stage to rise. I mean so many unknows who have such egos and hot air to think they can become a candidate well how far in outer space will it float.
How many Mormons have to get whacked down before the GOP realizes, the Southern Baptist "christians" are not gonna buy that whole miracle of the gulls. They will paint Huntsman as an extremist that follow false prophets.
But by all means, GOP keep throwing them out there to the lions.
Who cares. The man is a moderate.
So sorry Huntsman, I think that Bush lunch did you in...not even mentioning the poor job you did in China...dah...everything is still made in China...why did you not help to bring jobs back to America? China Doll I think you are, certainly not in America's best interest, nor the best interest of the American people. Do not think you should make a bid for POTUS, as you are too connected to China.
who cares!! next.
Obama/Biden 2012
just one more that likes to hear himself talk.
Will the anouncement be that he's running against Obama or that he is endorcing Obama?
Why not another position in the next Obama administration? Secretary of State will be open.
I think it is about time for fromer Gov. Huntsman to announce. In fact it is getting close to being to late. He is quickly coming up on the time when he will have to announce that he is with drawing from the race. It also makes sense to sit out Iowa and not waste money on that state as Mormons do not stand much of a chance in that state.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman seems to be the only smart one in the field of GOP/TP contenders. However, he disqualifies himself right away again by not realizing that the majority of the GOP/TP are just not interested in doing anything useful for the country but only in practicing “Socialism” for the top 5% of Americans and for corporate America. If he shares that believe, he is not the right person in the White House to represent 95% of the people – if he does not, who would be left for him in Congress and Senate to work with?!
Another person wasting his time–and resources– to run for something he can't possibly win. Go, Huntsman, Go!
Hunts Man is the latest GOBP's "Great White Dope" in hopes he doesn't appear to be as extreme a rightwing radical as the other candidates. However, even a brief review of his background shows that he's the beneficiary of his families huge global chemical company that is not at all concerned with the interests of the poor, the working class and the environment. He's just another snake in a suit.
Huntsman appears to be a true statesman, speaks fluent Chinese, has global experience in business, and frankly, it would be a breath of fresh air for a President, his wife, and SEVEN kids to move into the US White House for a change. His dad, Jon Huntsman, Sr, is one of the world's largest philanthropists with Huntsman Cancer Institute. It's time for America to enjoy a big family with realms of experience in the driver's seat for the USA.
Jonathan Huntsman is running in 2012 to position for 2016. Republican`s are secretly envious of Barack H. Obama as a candidate and believe their only chance to beat him is with their "own version" of him.
Huntsman is shooting for non-Christian christians. He skips Iowa because he won`t win there and doesn`t think Iowa really matters in winning the Presidency. He`s counting on the rabid-Republican rightwing zealots to hate Obama, to loathe him [regardless of his accomplishments]. His strategy will be an appeal to moderate Republicans and particularly independents. This is why he doesn`t display the temperment of a Gingrich or a Palin.
With Osama dead and the Prez about to get Moammar out[brilliantly by convincing the Europeans and Canadians to do some heavy lifting], The President will have a Titanium shield on Foriegn Policy assaults from the GOP whiners.
Post Moammar oil price, and therefore gas prices, will come down. Plus Barack Obama will encourage the Saudi`s to raise production if they want a friend in the Whitehouse.
When Obama tackles the National debt and points out the Republican fallacy of "tax cuts spur jobs", he wins re-election.
All that Huntsman will be left to say is, yeah, " I`d do that too". Obama will take all the ammo from him.
ThenHuntsman will have to lie like all the rest of the GOP goon squad.
Huntsman's Big problem: How can a decent human being get through a republican primary?
A rational candidate with a professional and appropriate background will never be in the hunt. The crazed bloodhounds will
render him irrelevant.
Palin must be planning another media circus tour to divert attention away from Huntsman's announcement. Can't see Huntsman's campaign going anywhere unless Romney stumbles badly.
ZZZZZZZZZ.....Who cares? This guy can't win and doe snot have the support of conservatives. He's a non-starter, like the Newt-ster. This guy is a cap & trader, kind of mid stream lib with a R on his label. RINO.
This is a nobummer flunky and will not get the nomination from the Republican Party.