Last, But Not Least

As our blogs wind down, I find that there is one candidate who I have mentioned about a total of two times. Former Governor Jon Huntsman has been a man of few words, as far as campaign advertising goes. According to a recent New York Times article, that reason is simply money.

“Mr. Huntsman’s campaign, which is betting entirely on a strong showing in New Hampshire to stay alive, has relatively little. The commercial came not from the Huntsman campaign, but from a group called Our Destiny PAC.

The group, financed in part by Mr. Huntsman’s billionaire industrialist father and guided by one of his former political advisers, has breathed new life into a campaign that otherwise lacks the resources to do much more than literally go door to door seeking votes.” (Jim Rutenberg)

Now, this whole issue that includes his father is another topic entirely. But if Huntsman’s main deterrent from taking the race is merely funding, then what is it about his campaign that makes the former governor something to talk about? To be honest, I have never even googled his name. Never really seemed necessary. However, it does not look like the Republican nominee is very clear to us at this point. So let’s take a look at Huntsman’s website and see what we can come up with.

A little background: Jon Huntsman born in California, moved to North Carolina at the age of ten. In his senior year, Jon dropped out of college to be a part of his band. (Totally cool in 1978.) But finally after accomplishing his academic requirements went on to study at the University of Utah. While there took a quick two years to go on a Mormon mission to Tawain, and later finished his studies at the university.

So how did he get into the political scene? It all started when he (somehow) become a staff assistant to President Reagan 1981. In ’87 Huntsman graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Politics. In the same year he became the vice president and director of the Huntsman business. Throughout the next ten years Huntsman is elected to job after job, including the United States ambassador to Singapore. In 2001 President George W. Bush named Jon deputy U.S. trade representative and U.S. trade ambassador. Since then Huntsman has successfully served as the governor of Utah and was later named the United States ambassador to China. And throughout all of this has had is beautiful family at his side.

A few copy and pasted words (for word space sakes) to briefly describe his stance on a couple of issues:

Jobs & the Economy-

“Jon Huntsman's comprehensive solutions to create jobs and revive our flailing economy are endorsed by the Wall Street Journal and described as "the most pro-growth proposal ever offered by a US presidential candidate."

National Security-

“Sustaining America's leadership position in the world requires we continue to maintain the world's most capable military. But being the best will not simply be a function of spending the most. Staying on top will increasingly depend on our willingness to adapt to the realities of the security environment in the 21st century, and prioritizing the right way with respect to the future of our armed forces.”

I must say, there seems to have been very little error in this guy’s life. He likes Harleys, food, his family, and clearly has enough experience for the job. Even an article in The New York Times “Magazine” section said that Huntsman has the best chance of beating Obama out of all the other G.O.P. candidates. After researching the man, I just might agree with him. Certainly don’t see any skeletons coming out of his closet anytime soon. Let’s see if Jon Huntsman gets that funding, and takes the lead. 

Cain Suspends Your 999 Thoughts

Herman Cain did not exactly throw his hat in the ring, but he definitely took it off his head for a little while. That’s right. Cain has suspended his campaign. At least, for now.  (You will probably hear all about it from fellow bloggers this week, as well. ) Cain made the announcement at a rally held in Atlanta, GA this past Saturday.  “As of today, with a lot of prayer and soul-searching, I am suspending my presidential campaign. Because of the continued distractions, the continued hurt caused on me and my family, not because we are not fighters. Not because I’m not a fighter.”  It seems that the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza finds the election process to be a little too much to handle for not just him, but his family and loved ones as well.

The accusations of sexual harassment and false actions against Cain seemed to have settled and Cain handled them with the utmost grace possible. However, little did we know that there was more “
scandal” ahead. The Monday after Thanksgiving a woman by the name of Georgia White came forward claiming that she and Cain had recently ended a thirteen year extramarital affair.

According to an article printed in The New York Times, “Ms. White produced phone records to prove that they had called or texted each other frequently, and Mr. Cain acknowledged giving her financial support — and also that his wife of 43 years had been unaware of what he insisted was only a friendship.” (Susan Saulny) The day after White came forward with this information, Cain said he was considering dropping his bid entirely, but that he was leading the ultimate decision up to his wife.

At Cain’s rally he said that despite all of the attacks and rumors surrounding him and these other women, his marriage was at peace. But let us look at the information provided. A fifth woman comes forward with claims of a “relationship” with Mr. Cain. Cain leaves the fate of his campaign in his wife’s hands. Lastly, Cain suspends campaign entirely. Of course there are only a few facts that we can rely on, but it seems probable to infer that the only way Cain’s wife could find “peace” with him and the situation was for the Cain bandwagon to take a step back and out of the limelight.

How can we tell if Cain will come back or not? What is the probability that the Cain supporters will have their man back by voting time? It really is hard to say. My guess is that going through all of the financial hoops of suspending a campaign is enough to keep a candidate out of the race. The Cain name may remain on ballots, depending on state laws, but who can say? The question at hand now is what does this mean for all of the Herman Cain supporters? They are up for grab, so to speak. You better believe the other G.O.P. candidates will be all about getting their support, money, vote, and what have you. Considering that voting season is just around the corner, I think it is safe to say that the fight for these extra supporters won’t be too pretty.