Jon Huntsman Reportedly Leaning Toward 2012 Presidential Run

Speculation that U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman could mount a Republican run for president in 2012 is heating up Thursday, with news that he's assembling a crack team of political operatives that could potentially be implemented to help coordinate fundraising and a ground game in anticipation of a campaign for the White House.

As HuffPost wrote earlier this month when the "Huntsman for president" whispers first started buzzing:

In May 2009 -- prior to Huntsman's appointment as ambassador -- President Obama's presidential campaign chief David Plouffe claimed that the Utah Republican was the one potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate who made him feel a "wee bit queasy...I think he's really out there speaking a lot of truth about the direction of the party." Indeed, when Obama selected Huntsman for the ambassadorial role, it was viewed as an effort to handicap Huntsman's ability to throw his hat in the presidential ring.

But when Obama was asked recently about his feelings on a possible challenge from Huntsman, the president appeared almost to take comfort in the prospect that his colleague could be in the GOP field.

"I'm sure the fact that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary," Obama said at a press conference, pointing out that his position as an agent of a Democratic administration would likely not be of any help.

Despite all the hyperactivity of the rumor-mill, however, Huntsman has still yet to address the speculation.

Check out the Washington Post's coverage for a full breakdown of Huntsman's inner circle, which according to the report, is "a group that speaks regularly about the when, where and how of a presidential bid."

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Comments

[slogward]

03:58 PM on 02/13/2011

HUFFINGTON WILL RUN IN 2016....

http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/there-could-be-a-seriously-first-lady-in-2016/

[catmandoozy]

11:03 PM on 01/31/2011

As a Utah citizen I can say that Huntsman Jr. was a decent governor but that's not saying much because, again, we're talking about Utah. Utah governors prefer to ignore the young girls being raped daily by the Fundy LDS. That's SOP in Utah; it's just too much trouble for them to actually do anything about it. He was great compared to Mike Leavitt though.

Neither he nor Romney will be seriously considered for the Presidency. The Internet has made all of the sordid and dishonest information about Mormonism available with a mouse click. They'll never be able to explain away their religion's true political ambitions, i.e. the White Horse Prophecy...

[gobamaaa]

04:03 PM on 01/31/2011

To be honest, Huntsman would actually be a very interesting candidate. His stance on many issues is quite moderate and he has an understanding of international affairs that would make most tea party members cry. However, he should continue to work in the Obama administration and wait to run in 2016. Also, he might want to become an independent because he seems far too logical and reasonable to be a member of the republican party.

[BlueDog1]

11:02 AM on 01/30/2011

OK my god this thing has been on your page for over a week, it really wasn't hat interesting in the beginning and now its like who at site is going with the guy.

Also if he runs and that cool, he would have to straight arm 12 other neo-cons attempting to get in the hunt. So run and please remove this article.

[Jared Ross]

10:31 AM on 01/30/2011

The fact that we're talking about Huntsman this early suggests he won't run. And if he does, he has little chance of winning. Assuming Huntsman does run, he'll stress his bipartisan bona fides. He'll also turn his ambassadorship against Obama. However, the fact that he is Obama's ambassador to China will not serve him well in a Republican field. That Republican primary voters are more rabid and conservative than before will hurt Huntsman's chances, especially when his rivals pile on. Huntsman also has other challenges besides the obvious. For one, he is the former governor of Utah. And no offense to Utah, but no politician from Utah is going to win a national election. There. I said it. Huntsman also has the challenge of "standing out." By this, I am assuming Mitt Romney, Mitch Daniels and John Thune are running. Having these four men stand together and they're indistinguishable. It would be like Chris Dodd and Joe Biden canceling each other out in 2008, only worse. I never thought I would say this but George Bush has more substance than any of the candidates the Republican party is fielding now (I know, that statement scares me too). Either you have the bland leading the bland (Romney) or you have the wingnuts like Palin and Gringrich. In short, I'm betting Huntsman won't run this election cycle.

[alpaig]

05:02 PM on 01/30/2011

I think his coming from Utah is part of what makes him interesting. The reddest State in the nation and Huntsman Jr takes pretty liberal positions on civil unions, climate change, education, the stimulus, knocks the congressional GOP and still wins a 2nd term as Governor with almost 80% of the vote. Of course he had to pull quite a few Dems on board to get 80%. He's a conservative and yet Utah was rated one of top in regards to state management under his time there. So I think Utah may be an obstacle for those on the left, but I think it's an obstacle that overall he could jump.

[Allan888]

09:38 AM on 01/30/2011

The photo looks like obama is goosing him.

[alpaig]

03:49 AM on 01/30/2011

It's kind of interesting to note that most of the people saying positive things about Huntsman Jr are either liberal/democrats or people who could vote either party. Clearly the kiss of death for winning
the GOP nomination. Good thing for Obama though. Obama won't win without the Independent vote and Huntsman would be the one he would not want to come up against in that regard. He also wouldn't want to come up against him among any disenchanted Dems ( who aren't far left).
Huntsman didn't win almost 80% of the vote in Utah for his 2nd term as Governor by just getting the GOP vote , especially since the far right are not fans of his.

[kdlaiusa]

02:02 AM on 01/30/2011

Huntsman should definitely run no matter what. We would love to see 150 candidates in the GOP primaries.

[denicci1977]

04:25 AM on 01/30/2011

LOL.

[DearAgony10]

11:36 PM on 01/29/2011

I wouldn't be too concerned about Huntsman.

First off, he's too tied to Obama to win the Republican nomination, remember the Republicans have been running on anyone associated with Obama being the bad guy. He can't suddenly resign now and run for the nomination of the anti Obama party, that would be political su_icide.

Also, Huntsman is too moderate and too reasonable, the Republicans want a rad_ical like Huc_kabee or Gingrich. Huntsman would be better served making a 2016 run when the ra_dicals of the Republican Party have been pushed aside, and Huntsman could run as an Obama Republican.

Huntsman is one of the very few Republicans I would vote for, and doesn't fall victim to right wing talking points and sound bytes. I suppose Obama is just getting Huntsman's name out there for name recognition, but I doubt Huntsman will actually run, at least in 2012.

[ElBruce]

10:30 PM on 01/29/2011

Sounds like fun. Let's have us a real a primary. Frankly, it doesn't hurt Obama at all to give him a whetstone to hone his edge on before the general election.

[rsg11]

09:54 PM on 01/29/2011

I don't think Ambassador Huntsman will run this cycle. However he is quite a leader and someone who, I believe would be a good President. My opinion of him is as a person, not as a Republican or Democrat. President Obama knew what he was doing when he appointed Huntsman to the China role and he has done a good job due to his extensive prior experience in the region. He is a principled leader and I look for him to be either a U.S. Senator or Cabinet Member going forward.

[rsg11]

06:07 PM on 01/31/2011

Well so much for my opinion in the last post.. His stepping down as Ambassador to China surprises me. I think he will explore the Presidency, but run and win Hatch's Senate seat.

[DLCA]

09:53 PM on 01/29/2011

Utah Gov Huntsman....who? can appeal to majority of US voters???
nice try, gov

[kenhamlett]

09:27 PM on 01/29/2011

The President's remark is a good one and a nice response given the situation. But, Mr. Huntsman can easily counter it during a campaign with "if you thought I was anything less than able, why did you appoint me to represent our country with the greatest rising power -- which, by the way, holds a lot of our debt -- in the world?" As a Democrat, I think there are Republican candidates that we need to take seriously, and Mr. Huntsman is one of them. The WH does, and so should the entire party. I know it is popular on this website to just assume a 2012 re-election, but you know what they say about people who assume. I read an awful lot of comments on the HuffPost in the days before the last election stating with absolute certainty that people would never vote for the GOP and the Tea Party. Look how that turned out. We should take nothing for granted.

[alpaig]

12:43 AM on 01/30/2011

I liked Obama's remark too. If Huntsman Jr runs , it puts Obama in an equally difficult position.
One would assume Obama is going to appoint someone he views as competent to represent us in China. Unless he wants to say it was purely a political maneuver on his part and he can't do that. I think there's enough differences of opinion on issues like the economy between the two that they'd focus on that - and is there really that big of a difference as Obama inches more to center/ center right?

[darthmaul]

09:14 PM on 01/29/2011

I think others have said it too. The Tea Party would never let a moderate republican get the nomination. And to make matters worse for Huntsman he will be viewed as "tainted" by serving in the Obama administration.

[SaddieMcCall]

09:08 PM on 01/29/2011

The tea party is not going to allow any moderate Republican to win the nomination. The Republican candidate is going to be farther right than we have seen in past elections.