I am not suggesting Huntsman was programmed by the Chinese to do their bidding. Huntsman’s ideology of an unregulated free market, his support for big corporate interests, such as, big oil, big pharma, and outsourcing of jobs is no different than most Republicans. His China experience, as ambassador, did not include one single complaint about human rights abuse, unfair trading practices, China’s role in manipulating currencies, military espionage, and meddling with the affairs of nations in the Middle East. Of course, a fly on the wall might know all.
It appears the Republican King Makers have anointed their ideal Presidential candidate for 2012, their Manchurian Candidate. The current hoard of Republican hopefuls focus on bringing down Romney, while Huntsman sits back reaping the benefits.
Howard Dean was on MSNBC this morning. He thinks we should take Huntsman seriously. I agree. Perhaps Gov. Dean read the article below the fold. It was the reason for my title.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/...
AP Interview: Huntsman mapping out 2012 strategy
PHILIP ELLIOTT
Associated Press= NORTH CONWAY, N.H. (AP) — Toeing the 2012 line, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman sounded like a full-fledged White House candidate Saturday set to join the field this month as he mapped out a campaign strategy that bypasses early-voting Iowa to focus on New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
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Just five weeks removed as President Barack Obama's ambassador to China, Huntsman said the GOP campaign at this point is about personalities, not policy, but that will change as the field firms up.
"This is the marketplace of political ideas. This is how America operates," Huntsman said. "It's a free market. It's free-wheeling. From the outside, it looks unpredictable. ... There's a circus-like free market."
The article was chilling; it reminded me of a Hollywood script. Only this time, it reads more like a political play book from the “Turd Blossom”. It gave me a moment to feel pity for the Tea Party, or extreme right wing, base of the Republican Party. They are being lead by their nose in a child’s game of “Ring Around the Rosies”. In the end, they will all fall down.
Behind the scenes, the “circus-like arena” of current Republican hopefuls, Mr. Huntsman is no doubt busy with mapping out a strategy with the big boys, like Karl Rove and the bush gang of buddies. Mr. Huntsman is the corporate, Wall Street, and banking darling. Of all the Republican candidates, his fund raising potential is formidable. What’s a few billion when compared to the future value of influence for sale?
I know that many on DKos have already written diaries on Huntsman’s tight wire act of flip flopping on previous positions. It was a joy to find an article that added a little humor to offset the media crooning for Huntsman.
I don’t have permission to print the entire snarky opinion piece. Here is a tease.
http://www.deseretnews.com/...
Slogans and bumper stickers Huntsman may consider
Published: Sunday, June 5, 2011 12:00 a.m. MDT
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb, Deseret News
(Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a state tax commissioner.)
Last week, several friends of Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. sponsored a welcome home event to which a number of influential Utahns were invited. We, naturally, were not included. (HUGE MISTAKE!!.....
Go Beyond tea party, Go Huntsman: He's more of the "Latte Party".
The Huntsman Prosperity Promise: A hair blow drier in every bathroom
The Clear Choice: Better looking than Pawlenty, nicer than Gingrich, smarter than Palin, more fun than Romney, thinner than Christie, saner than Bachmann
People's Choice: Especially moderate Republicans, frustrated Democrats, wavering independents, civil union supporters, questioning Mormons, extreme sports enthusiasts, climate change worriers, punk rockers and all the alcohol drinkers in Utah
I have a family barbeque to prepare for this morning. I’ll check back later this evening and respond to any comments. Please talk among yourselves, or better yet, write a diary about this topic.
9:50 AM PT: Correction for AdamB: I should have said that on human rights Jon Huntsman said a few words. There is no evidence he was effective in obtaining any support from China.
12:48 PM PT: For those who support the Chinese government, let me be clear, I have no respect for any government that does not offer equal rights for women, minorities or the press.
12:50 PM PT: Further evidence that Republicans are working behind the scenes.
http://www.cbsnews.com/...
(CBS News) Face the Nation 5 June 2011
Polls show Republican voters are unimpressed with the current field of GOP presidential candidates, but Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said today the winning candidate could still be hiding out in "Nowheresville."
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While he criticized the president for growing government, Barbour said a good Republican candidate shouldn't rule out raising taxes - as long as it were part of a compromise that included spending cuts and other policies that would lead to growth. He pointed to Ronald Reagan as an example of such a leader.
"I wouldn't say I won't support somebody for president who would do that because, like Ronald Reagan, that may be the best we can get for the country," he said.
Similarly, Barbour said it was important for his party to unite behind their presidential candidate and dismiss calls for ideological purity.
"Purity in politics is a loser. Unity in politics is a winner," he said. "My old boss Ronald Reagan used to say, 'Remember, a fellow that agrees you with 80 percent of the time is your friend and ally, not 20-percent traitor.'
Warning against candidates that might split the vote among conservatives, Barbaour said, "It was always amazing to people how many people who didn't agree with Reagan on this issue or that issue voted for him every time. We've got to be like like that."