If Only CNN, MSNBC, and Fox Could Do This

Politician Jon Huntsman on the Colbert Report

Former GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman appeared on the Colbert Report yesterday, and the ex-Utah governor's willingness to address the real substance of what's wrong in American politics was refreshing.

In just a few short minutes, Huntsman manages to tackle the worst corruptors of the American political process (Super Pacs and the absence of term limits), as well as policy issues related to jobs, the national debt, and the economy.

Huntsman also showed his humorous side, quipping about the polygamist ancestor he shares with Mitt Romney and telling us what he really thinks of Romney - but doing so in Mandarin Chinese.

It's sad that (1) Americans don't elect more genuine and thoughtful leaders like Jon Huntsman to national political office and (2) Americans have to rely on Comedy Central to showcase the kind of useful and honest conversation we should be able to see on "real" news channels.

You can watch the clip of Huntsman on Colbert here.
(Just wait out the advertisement - it may play twice.)

Compare and Contrast - Huntsman vs Santorum

In a recent Time magazine article, political columnist Joe Klein contrasted the amateurish idiocy of Rick Santorum against the sound conservative professionalism of Jon Huntsman. Klein's article does a nice job of drawing distinctions, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Which of these two guys would you rather trust to run your country?

The one who wears a cool bomber jacket and looks a dog squarely in the eyes...

OR

The one who sports a lavender suit and spouts hateful things from the pulpit.

Republicans Make or Break Their Best Option Today in New Hampshire

Huntsman gaining ground in NH

For months former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has deserved more attention than he has received from both the media and the Republican base. With a slight bump in the polls in New Hampshire and some noteworthy moments in recent candidate debates, Huntsman has gained prominence in the news, but it may be too late to impact his bid for the Oval Office.

The New Hampshire primary, which is underway even as I type this morning, will tell the tale by the end of today.

The inability of Huntsman to gain traction with right-wing voters may be the biggest tragedy to befall the Republican party since the re-election of George W. Bush in 2004. Jon Huntsman's experience in foreign policy, his demeanor, and his tenure as an executive leader in government, along with the serious and intelligent focus he places on the substantive policy issues of this election, should earn him a top three finish in every primary, and an occasional first place finish in states with more moderate electorate populations, like New Hampshire. Should, but may not. If only Huntsman had challenged the President's birth certificate instead of his economic policies.

Huntsman's clear qualifications for the presidency and his electability have not been sufficient thus far in moving him significantly closer to his party's nomination. Most Republicans would find themselves relatively comfortable with Huntsman's economic and national security positions (if they learned about them), and because of his consistently right-wing stance on deal-breaker issues like abortion and taxes, they could probably overlook his moderate views on gay rights and other social issues. The problem for the former governor and ambassador to China is his refusal to participate in the fiery, albeit groundless, Obama-bashing that energizes Tea Partiers, and his preference for reasonable policy-talk over the kind of divisive bullshit sideshow rhetoric that dominates the broadcast news cycle.

Turn of Phrase - Huntsman Delivers Trump Smackdown

Rep. Candidate Jon Huntsman
Photo: Courtesy of AP

"This is exactly what's wrong with politics. It's show business over substance. I'm not going to kiss his ring and I'm not going to kiss any other part of his anatomy."

- Former Utah Governor Jon Hunstman, explaining his decision not to appear at a December 27 candidate's debate hosted by bad-hair egomaniac Donald Trump.

Newt Gingrich is the only candidate so far to accept the billionaire's invitation to debate. I'm willing to bet that there is so little participation that Trump has to either cancel the event or re-bill it as a "roundtable" or some such nonsense.

Republican Journalist Makes Common Sense Case for Romney or Hunstman

Photo: Mandel Ngana/Getty Images

Conservative journalist David Frum has such a clearheaded view of the Republican field of presidential candidates that I have to keep checking his Wikipedia page to make sure he's not a Democrat. Frum is indeed a Republican, and a Canadian-American as well, a heritage which I credit for the absence of foam at the corners of his mouth when he speaks about politics.

In a recent piece for the National Post, Frum argues that Republicans have only two reasonable choices in their field of primary contenders, if they want to have a realistic possibility at taking down President Obama next November.  According to Frum, "it's Romney, Huntsman, or bust."

Frum's rationale and the criteria he looks for in a candidate are admirable, and his description of the field of the candidates, with the exception of his near-endorsement of Rick Santorum, is totally on point. I'm linking the article which will be interesting to anyone who appreciates politics, but I am especially hopeful that my Republican friends (and family) will take a look.

Republicans - Frum is one of your own and he's spot on with his assessment of the choices you have in 2012. If you really want to take the White House back, and you want to be sure you install a qualified leader who can actually make good decisions and move the country forward, then pay close to attention to David Frum's advice.

Rise and Fall of the Anti-Romneys

Newt Gingrich

The anti-Romney shooting star pattern we have seen with Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Herman Cain has been so consistent that it's practically become a predictable scientific phenomenon.

I stumbled on this very clever interactive graph of polling data that demonstrates the trend perfectly.

The remaining question is whether Newt, the most recent contender in the Republican field to twinkle, has enough staying power to present a real challenge. I'm hoping he follows the pattern and flames out like the rest within a few weeks of his peak, so that former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman's star may finally have a chance to rise.  Given the opportunity, Huntsman will stand tall over the intellectual dwarfism of his peers and demonstrate what a legitimately qualified candidate actually looks like.

Of course, armed with only his incredibly relevant experience and his intellect and good sense, and in the absence of the non-stop foaming-at-the-mouth ideological rhetoric that seems essential to gaining the approval of the far right wing, I doubt Huntsman will garner enough support to pose a serious threat to Romney.

Here's wishing on a star...

Republican Candidate John Huntsman Deserves a First Look

John Huntsman, Former Ambassador and Utah Governor

John Huntsman is intelligent, experienced, and reasonable. Unfortunately, with the Tea Party dominating the Republican party from the far right fringe, these characteristics may disqualify him from ever getting a serious look as a legit presidential candidate. 

Consider the comparison between Huntsman and Herman Cain courtesy of Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish blog post.....

"When you realize this intelligent and capable two-term governor from the rock-ribbed Republican state of Utah, with deep domestic and foreign policy experience, has one tenth of the support of a pizza guy who emerged from motivational speaking and talk radio, and who admits he knows nothing about foreign policy and has never held elective office in his life ... well, you have the core reality of today's Ailes-led, resentment-fueled GOP."

It's fine by me if the right wing never takes a serious look at Huntsman since failing to do so only helps Obama's re-election effort, but if party leadership has half a clue, they will shine the spotlight on Huntsman and give him his day in the sun before his self-belief wanes and his coffers run out (like Tim Pawlenty).