Unbelievably, Utah’s governor, Jon Huntsman, Jr. has hooked up with Senator John McCain’s potential presidental campaign, snubbing Governor Mitt Romney big time (as Dick Cheney would say). I have always like Senator McCain, until just recently when he has done everything possible to stumble over himself trying to embrace George Bush’s most failed and miserable policy that has placed America in an unwinnable war wtih no end in sight. The Washington Post has reported:
Huntsman has agreed to serve as a co-chairman of McCain’s Straight Talk America political action committee. He will help coordinate politics and policy for McCain in Western states . . .
Huntsman’s support for McCain strikes deep into the political base of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, another of the potential contenders for the Republican nomination.
Huntsman is a member of one of Utah’s most prominent Mormon families. His father, billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr., had been a leading contributor to Romney’s Commonwealth PAC and said he would like to see Romney seek the presidency. The younger Huntsman, who was ambassador to Singapore before his election in 2004, is friendly with Romney and had served as an informal adviser to him on foreign policy matters, according to published reports.
It’s early in the 2008 presidental poker game, and yet here’s Huntsman showing everyone his cards well before even the first round. If you’re a republican governor–no– make that Utah’s Governor, with potential political ambitions of your own, don’t you at least want to wait and see how things begin to play out before making this type of commitment? Apprently not. To me, at least for Jon Huntsman this seems like a big gamble at this stage of the ’08 race.
What kinds of questions is this likely to raise for Mitt Romeny? The governor of the state where a considerable amount of Romney’s financial support may be backs the other guy. This should be interesting. And, check out this post on the Right Angle, pointing out Huntsmans’ hypocrisy on orginally claiming he would back Romney for President, not McCain. Did Huntsman really change his mind, just recently, based on an issue like immigration–in Utah–are you kidding me?
Evangelicals for Mitt also has an interesting post on this story here
Update: 7/20/06 11:10 a.m. Over at Iowan’s for Romney, Jeff Fuller posts his resposne to Huntsman’s McCainizing.
Update: 7/20/06 1:57 p.m. See the Deseret News coverage here, and the Salt Lake Tribune coverage here.
Messenger and Advocate 
July 19, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I’m not familiar with Hunstman, but is he Mormon?
July 19, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Dan, Yes, Jon Huntsman, Jr. is LDS, and now may need to explain some things to his core constituents back home in Utah as well.
July 19, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Guy, why should someone feel that all Mormons ought to help him simply because he’s a Mormon or spent a lot of time in that state? Plus hasn’t Huntsman had a relationship with McCain?
While I definitely prefer Romney to McCain I think we ought not read too much into this.
July 19, 2006 at 8:43 pm
I don’t really see much significance to this announcement. I can’t think of many voters, even in Utah, that would care who Huntsman’s supports. But it can be surprising when politicians do things that suddenly reveal their true stripes. Jon Huntsman never come across as much of a political animal, either in his campaign or as Utah Governor.
Of course, Huntsman can support whoever he wants. But this kind of publicity play seems calculated and politically manipulative. Makes me wonder what kind of political spoils might have been promised.
I really had the feeling that Huntsman was more genuine and trustworthy — unlike so many slippery political figures. Now I’m not so sure.
To be honest, I would have preferred to reelect Olene Walker as Utah Governor. But the Republicans in Utah did not give us that option. Just one of the reasons I am no longer registered Republican.
July 19, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Of course, this could turn out to be very, very good news for Romney if he can beat McCain in the primaries. Many are concerned that Romney will be too influenced by his Mormonism–put one in the White House and you may as well have Utah running the nation. This should show that Mormons are capable of making decisions that are not entirely based on their Mormonism.
July 19, 2006 at 10:35 pm
I wrote off McCain when he decided to use racist slurs to describe Asians during a debate in his last presidential campaign. I can understand why his war experiences would have embittered him to some Asians, but we don’t need a President that harbors latent racist hatred.
July 20, 2006 at 6:41 am
thanks Guy. That’s too bad that he’d rather go with McCain. Perhaps McCain offered him something, a high position if elected president, in return for pulling some Mormon votes to McCain rather than Romney. I wouldn’t put it past McCain to stoop so low.
July 20, 2006 at 6:54 am
McCain lost points in my book the other night on Michael Regan’s show when he was arrogant, pompous, and wouldn’t even let the host of the show speak. He took control of the interview, pridefully running over Michael’s toes, and talking on and on to say what he wanted. Quite distasteful.
Romney will be an excellent candidate, if he can help other see that his religion isn’t an impediment.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out RunMittRun.org.
July 20, 2006 at 7:32 am
Clark: I certainly don’t mean to imply that all Mormons ought to support Romney simply because he is a Mormon. I have never supported Orrin Hatch, even though he is a Mormon.
I think Mitt Romney is the better candidate. While I like John McCain generally, I’ve been troubled by his most recent embrace of George Bush. I’m also troubled that McCain is part of the republican party establishment. Romney is a fresher face, with I think an exceptional background in the business world and in politics.
I believe you are correct that Huntsman has had a more recent relationship with McCain; however, if you follow the links in the Right Angle piece above, it appears Huntsman originally intended to support Romney. Fair weather support at best I guess. Of course today’s Utah papers are also playing up the difference between Huntsman Sr., and Jr., in supporting differing candidates.
You may be right that this is not a big deal–though Huntsman’s inconsistency in originally backing Romney then switching to McCain is troubling to me.
Jim: I certainly agree with your observation on discovering Huntsman’s true political stripes. I haven’t followed Huntsman’s political career, as I no longer live in Utah; but, I did think it odd that Huntsman would come out this early with a McCain endorsement, particularly in light of press reports of his earlier (supposed) Romney support. Like you and Clark observe, in practical terms of persuading Utah voters this probably doesn’t have that big of an impact. So, if you aren’t a registered Republican, you must then be one of those rare Utah democrats? 😉
Brian J: Yes–I agree. And, I think Romney has a shot at giving McCain a good run in the primaries.
??? I’m not sure I agree with you about McCain’s supposed racial bigotry. You may or may not recall, McCain led the way to normalizing relations with Vietnam after the war–not really consistent with a bigot.
Dan: I wouldn’t doubt there was some quid pro quo involved!
Connor: I’m sorry I didn’t’ see that Michael Reagan show–though to tell you the truth, I don’t much care for Michael Reagan. Thanks for linking to your site about Romney, Religion and the Presidency. I have seen the RunMittRun.org site, and also posted about it here on the M & A.
July 20, 2006 at 12:49 pm
I always find it interesting how those who enjoy the minutiae of politics are usually so out of touch with the mainstream.
There is no way that Romney will ever become President. 1) the country is sick of conservatives and their hypocrisy and 2) the country will not vote for a latter-day saint.
The presidential race will be among moderates as it should be. If it is Hillary and anyone other than McCain, then Hillary will win. If it is McCain and anyone other than Hillary, then McCain will win. If it is Hillary and McCain, I will be hard pressed to determine which one I like better.
The only reason George W. is in the White House is because he 1) stole the election in Florida and had the Supreme Court support him in that theft, and 2) lied about the war in Iraq to remain President in 2004.
He has shown his true stripes over the past year with the Dubai ports deal and the support of his energy buddies in raising gas prices.
July 20, 2006 at 2:51 pm
It matters NOT!
By the time we get to Utah’s primary it won’t matter. Either Romney will have already won the primary or as I guess it both McCain and Romney will be out of it!
Neither McCain nor Romney will win the necessary early States. So say ME!
July 20, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Michael,
Just so you know its not the country that decides who the nominees are, it’s the party “faithful” or those that “turn out” during the primary. And if you think turn out is low in the general election, check the primary numbers. In most states primary turn out barely breaks 30% of registered voters and registered voter only represent in most States 50-60% of eligible voters.
That means the candidates you and I get to vote on represent the core base of each respective party. In English…that means you will never get a moderate, you will always get a conservative or liberal, until the view of the base changes.
It has been this way for two hundred plus years and will continue to function this way until you change our form of government.
Finally, if you believe Bush stole Florida and lied about the war with Iraq, you represent the most extreme conspiracy views of the democrat party. Sorry to burst your bubble but “Moderates” don’t believe what you believe.
December 2, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Obviously Romney will win Utah no matter who the governor endorses. The reason Huntsman is supporting McCain is because he is the front-runner and Huntsman is willing to do anything to finally get the ambassadorship to China which he has always wanted