Jon Huntsman Blasts 2012 GOP Candidates On ABC's 'This Week'

WASHINGTON -- GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman says the U.S. is a "center-right" country politically and the public is "crying out for a sensible middle ground" – just what he says he offers.

The former Utah governor says his Republican rivals as well as President Barack Obama are on the political "fringes." Huntsman says Obama is too liberal and there are Republican candidates who are too far to the right and have "zero substance."

Huntsman, who's lagging in national polls, saved his harshest criticism in a television interview for two of the candidates who are at the top of the 2012 pack – Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Huntsman slammed Perry for expressing skepticism about manmade global warming and for criticizing the nation's central banker. "I think when you find yourself at an extreme end of the Republican Party, you make yourself unelectable," Huntsman said in interview, aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

Huntsman also ridiculed Bachmann's claims that she could bring gasoline prices below $2 if elected president. "I just don't know what world that comment would come from. ... That is completely unrealistic. And, again, it's talking about things that, you know, may pander to a particular group or sound good at the time, but it just simply is not founded in reality."

Huntsman spoke optimistically about his chances in 2012, saying he would do well in early voting New Hampshire and South Carolina and "then we're going to bring it home in Florida."

"I'm confident we're getting there. But I'm even more confident that the message that we bring to this race, that of a center-right message for a center-right country that is looking for common-sense solutions and a leader who's actually been there and done that in the marketplace and can apply those same principles now to a nation that so desperately needs it," he said.

He said voters aren't yet paying close attention to the race. "I like exactly where we are. Stay tuned."

 

 

Comments

[aangelu697]

10:39 AM on 08/24/2011

I agree, we need someone from the center right. Huntsman is t6he logical choice. A canidate with a brain and a heart. Unless the GOP moves closer to the center, they are doomed to failure.

[TFlint]

01:22 PM on 08/27/2011

So we just destroy the middle class moderately?

[aangelu697]

08:39 PM on 08/27/2011

The republicans are currently destroying the middle class drasticly. It appears we have no where to go but up. Vote for a dem.

[Ed Saletnik]

11:26 AM on 08/23/2011

This is a quote from Presidents Woodrow Wilson. It's amazing how far we have regressed.

During his successful campaign for the presidency in 1912, Woodrow Wilson, Ph.D., the former president of Princeton University, was asked whether he believed in evolution. He replied, "that of course like every other man of intelligence and education I do believe in organic evolution. It surprises me that at this late date such questions should be raised."

[Shain Eighmey]

08:33 AM on 08/24/2011

Wilson was a pretty bright guy. Not the best President, but still a rather bright guy.

[Gracie fr]

11:20 AM on 08/23/2011

"Jon Huntsman won't win the GOP nomination, or so pundits assure us. But he is getting press attention anyway because he decided to start telling his fellow Republicans truths that they don't want to hear...."
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/why-the-press-loves-jon-huntsman-but-ignores-ron-paul/243910/

[Gestas]

11:20 AM on 08/23/2011

Huntsman is talking like Republicans used to talk before the TEA Party...Common Sense will not get any TEA Baggers votes.

[Reincarnation TPS]

11:10 AM on 08/23/2011

Wouldn't it be nice if the Republican Party were s@ne enough to go with Huntsman..........

That way if Obama loses....,

We don't all lose........

[duriostellaj]

10:21 AM on 08/23/2011

I do respect Huntsman for his service and the way he runs his life but frankly if he is against someone that makes me more for them. He is a RHINO and we need a strong conservative now.

[swimbiker]

10:37 AM on 08/23/2011

There's the GOP problem---a REAL Republican shows up and the fringe calls him a "RINO."  That is why your party is devolving into a regional party of Southern whites.

[duriostellaj]

10:53 AM on 08/23/2011

How is he a "real" republican? His positions on several issues are in complete oppostiiton to the majority of the party. Does he perhaps appeal to you as he is a dem light?

[miketothad]

09:57 PM on 08/23/2011

A "strong conservative".... "BAAAAWK!"
Like (ahem) Bush.

[duriostellaj]

06:45 AM on 08/24/2011

Have no idea what BAAAAWK means but no not like Bush - medicare part D was about as left of center as you can get. We need an acutal fiscal conservative before we become Greece.

Even though Bushb was a superior president to obama we need a strong strong fiscally conservative person willing to take the heat and the attacks that will come as he and congress attempt to return fiscal sanity to washington.

[dmsdzinr]

09:25 AM on 08/23/2011

And yet he is willing to run as Bachmann's VP! How incredibly SAD!

[FR]

04:41 AM on 08/23/2011

Riiiiight.
And he's soooo reasonable, he said he'd accept running as Bachman's VP?
Riiiiight. That's rational.

[BrutusHonestus]

02:56 AM on 08/23/2011

All Dems need to donate money to Huntsman; we need to keep this lone, semi-sane Reublican in race as long as possible!

[BobRobertsFeltRedundant]

10:37 AM on 08/23/2011

why?

we need a_crazy to win the nom

[aangelu697]

10:42 AM on 08/24/2011

You forgot to include republicans who think first before making decisions

[annyp]

02:04 AM on 08/23/2011

Huntsman will never GOP nomination as he makes too much sense.

[Soulmentor]

02:16 AM on 08/23/2011

Not anymore! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/22/jon-hunstman-says-hed-be-vp-candidate_n_933719.html

[annyp]

01:24 PM on 08/23/2011

Is there any of these people that will stop catering to the TP and grab a backbone?

[AG creative]

12:56 AM on 08/23/2011

Huntsman / Rubio 2016.

Place your bets!

[Shain Eighmey]

08:34 AM on 08/24/2011

Apparently he's gunning for Bachmann / Huntsman now.

[aangelu697]

10:43 AM on 08/24/2011

Sounds good but Rubio is very much to the right

[Lucky S7even]

12:26 AM on 08/23/2011

modern day rockefeller.

[Chris Wundrow]

10:20 PM on 08/22/2011

Huntsman is too decent for the GOP, thus he doesn't stand a chance!

[camelias and sweet tea]

08:49 AM on 08/23/2011

already a fan. I totally agree he will NEVER get the nomination from that party . I think they will go with Perry, (I Hope), people say the DEMS are afraid of Perry, He is very scary because he is sooooo far right and that is the only votes he will get he will never get anyone with any sense to vote for him and Obama will win again.

[Vikingdave]

09:02 AM on 08/23/2011

Put a fork in him, cuz he's sooooooooooooooooo done.

[Reincarnation TPS]

11:10 AM on 08/23/2011

I think you're right.......

[Harlem-bred]

08:03 PM on 08/22/2011

Huntsman presents the first rational and mainstream critique of the GOP/ Tea field... responsible journalists... where art thou ???

[Erin Ott Shaw]

10:14 AM on 08/24/2011

Did you just say responsible journalists? LOLOLOL

[Harlem-bred]

04:01 PM on 08/24/2011

I know.... so sad. Thank God for Maddow, and Olbermann.

[rnl52]

06:52 PM on 08/22/2011

One of the only semi-sane cons, he doesn't stand a chancesince the party has turned into teabaggerstan.