Jon Huntsman Trashes GOP, Expresses Campaign Regrets - Polidicks

[quote][img]http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal05/2012/4/22/20/enhanced-buzz-21889-1335141102-8.jpg[/img] Former Republican candidate Jon Huntsman took a battle axe to his own party, comparing it to China's Communist Party and criticizing its standard bearer in a wide-ranging interview at the 92nd Street Y Sunday night. Recounting his first experience on the presidential debate stage in Iowa last August, Huntsman says he was struck by the question "Is this the best we could do?" Huntsman, the former Utah governor and once President Barack Obama's Ambassador to China, expressed disappointment that the Republican Party disinvited him from a Florida fundraiser in March after he publicly called for a third party. "This is what they do in China on party matters if you talk off script," he said. [b]Huntsman said he regrets his decision to oppose a 10-to-1 spending cuts to tax increase deal to cut the deficit[/b] at the Iowa debate lamenting: “if you can only do certain things over again in life.” "What went through my head was if I veer at all from my pledge not to raise any taxes…then I’m going to have to do a lot of explaining," he explained. "What was going through my mind was 'don't I just want to get through this?'" That decision, Huntsman said, "has caused me a lot of heartburn.” Huntsman jokingly blamed his failed candidacy in part on his wife, Mary Kaye, who told him she'd leave him if he abandoned his principles. [b]“She said if you pandered, if you sign any of those damn pledges, I’ll leave you,” Huntsman recounted.[/b] "So I had to say I believe in science — and people on stage look at you quizzically as though you're was an oddball," Huntsman said, explaining why he was "toast" in Iowa. Asked by journalist Jeff Greenfield if he could win the nomination of the Republican Party in Utah today, Huntsman said he could not, saying later that [b]Ronald Reagan would "likely not" be able to win the GOP nomination nationally in this political climate.[/b] On foreign policy, Huntsman questioned his former Republican opponents' hard-line positions on China. [b]"I don’t know what world these people are living in,"[/b] he said, not naming Mitt Romney by name. Though he categorically ruled out being Romney's running mate, Huntsman stood by his tepid endorsement of Romney, saying he would manage legislation through Congress more effectively. But Huntsman said Romney has to campaign on more than fear, and provide a positive alternative to Obama. “He’ll have to work hard on making sure that happens,” he said.[/quote] [url]http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/jon-huntsman-trashes-gop-expresses-campaign-regre[/url]

God dammit Huntsman you were the only decent Republican candidate why are you gone

This guy is awesome.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;35685565]God dammit Huntsman you were the only decent Republican candidate why are you gone[/QUOTE] He's gone for that exact reason, unfortunately :v:

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;35685565]God dammit Huntsman you were the only decent Republican candidate why are you gone[/QUOTE] I wish more Republicans were like him. It's funny seeing all these Republican voters saying they don't agree with the extreme conservatism and such, and how they don't like this year's candidates. If this is true, why are they still clinging to the "anyone but Obama" rhetoric?

[quote]"So I had to say I believe in science — and people on stage look at you quizzically as though you're was an oddball,"[/quote] Republican Party in a nutshell

Funny, listening to what my mom is listening to on the radio, Sean Heanity thinks the White House is panicking because they think Romney will win :v:

He was the only sane one running, the rest were batshit insane.

Huntsman was actually a pretty decent guy. It's a shame he didn't get a chance to make a larger impact in the Republican nomination.

It's an unsettling sign of the state of the nation when reasonable, honest, worldly people are rendered incapable of running for president.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;35688506]He was the only sane one running, the rest were batshit insane.[/QUOTE] Hey man, don't you talk shit about Gary Johnson

That's my boy! Huntsman 2016

The two party system really axes people like Huntsman. He's a pretty cool candidate, but since he doesn't conform to either party, he gets very little support.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;35685565]God dammit Huntsman you were the only decent Republican candidate why are you gone[/QUOTE] [B]Because[/B] he was the only decent Republican candidate

[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;35689258]The two party system really axes people like Huntsman. He's a pretty cool candidate, but since he doesn't conform to either party, he gets very little support.[/QUOTE] Eh, I'd say he's a pretty clear cut center-right pragmatist. He would have fit in the Republican Party of old, but it's too far-right at this time for a man like him to gain much support. It sucks though, he was by far my favorite.

[QUOTE=MBB;35689322]Eh, I'd say he's a pretty clear cut center-right pragmatist. He would have fit in the Republican Party of old, but it's too far-right at this time for a man like him to gain much support. It sucks though, he was by far my favorite.[/QUOTE] That's the thing though. People should be elected by their own personal merits, not because they adhere to the political positions of some monolithic political organization.

[QUOTE=Jund;35688764]Hey man, don't you talk shit about Gary Johnson[/QUOTE] He dropped out really early, so allot aren't aware of him.

[QUOTE=Jund;35688764]Hey man, don't you talk shit about Gary Johnson[/QUOTE] He was a champ, but I don't even think he's still in the Republican party at all now. Didn't he flip them the bird and leave?

Well, hopefully he'll run in 2016.

What are you guys talking about Hermain Cain is the best Republican candidate.

They axed Huntsman but not Paul? I'm slightly confused by this. Huntsman is pretty cool, but I think Paul is a bit more well known - and so a bigger "threat" to the party, no?

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;35692708]They axed Huntsman but not Paul? I'm slightly confused by this. Huntsman is pretty cool, but I think Paul is a bit more well known - and so a bigger "threat" to the party, no?[/QUOTE] Huntsman chose to leave.

Dang, I was really rooting for Huntsman, and he's on the spot about the GOP. Hopefully he runs again in 2016.

I suppose it's settled, then. Huntsman 2016, anyone?

It's a shame. Huntsman really had that presidential 'look'.

[QUOTE=ewitwins;35693025]I suppose it's settled, then. Huntsman 2016, anyone?[/QUOTE] No thanks. I'd take Gary Johnson over Huntsman. Huntsma hasn't said too much on his stances for me to support him. Can't wait to see Democrats next election so we won't have to listen to all the liberal bashing etc. Hoping there will be leftists. [editline]23rd April 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=tyanet;35693058]It's a shame. Huntsman really had that presidential 'look'.[/QUOTE] Which is funny because Republicans said he looked like a crook. Funny considering the other candidates. I swear they get too bent up on looks and other shit that doesn't matter at all.

[QUOTE=Smug Bastard;35692741]Huntsman chose to leave.[/QUOTE] I meant in regards to this statement, "Republican Party disinvited him from a Florida fundraiser in March after he publicly called for a third party." Unless you're allowed to say whatever you wish in the party, so long as it's not for a third party?

[QUOTE=Jund;35688764]Hey man, don't you talk shit about Gary Johnson[/QUOTE] Gary Johnson was a shit governor and a jock. Worthless