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.