Jon Huntsman: Controversy Over Obama Speech 'Nonsense' (VIDEO)

(AP) WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman calls the fuss over the timing of President Barack Obama's job speech "nonsense," saying it is "what people hate about politics."

Huntsman says Obama "has not been able to deliver on jobs" so far, so it doesn't matter where or when the president delivers his new plan.

After House Speaker John Boehner balked at Obama's request to speak to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 7, the president agreed to move it back to Sept. 8.

Appearing Thursday on NBC's "Today," Huntsman also criticized his GOP rivals, saying "we're getting drama but not solutions."

Asked if Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann are too far to the right to beat Obama in 2012, he said voters "don't want politics at the extreme ends."

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Comments

[ru4nl5]

02:24 AM on 09/02/2011

Huntmans family is very wealthy, he can self finance long enough to get thru the crazy stuff at the beginning of the primaries, Iowa, New Hampshire, S Carolina. He could win in Fl, MI, and then have more delegates than anybody else...the n its game on!
This election is going to be is going to be about ...Do the GOP vote with the hearts , Bachman, Perry and the like or with their heads, Huntsman( as an Obama supporter , I am most scared of) or Romney. I hope they go with their hearts. I so look forward to a debate between Loony Tunes Bachman and the adult at the other dias.....o h please please please!

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:26 AM on 09/02/2011

I do wish he was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage.

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:12 AM on 09/02/2011

I have never voted Republican in my life (may I go to my grave uttering that very phrase) but I ~like~ having Huntsman in the mix. He's reasonable, gracious, tactful and has a dogma that doesn't seem to be from the 17th century.

I like how he simply talked about what the American people want when asked to comment on Perry and Bachmann. Classy, John. Nice and classy.

[foreverdemocrat]

11:14 PM on 09/01/2011

Hey Huntsman: No one cares what you have to say.

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:13 AM on 09/02/2011

For someone who's bi-line is 'sanity and civility must stand' you sure fall short of the mark you set. A LOT of people care what Huntsman has to say. They feel it would be far better to hear from a Republican who is also an Obama appointee than Bachmann, Perry or Palin.

Geez, do you know anything about this guy?

[foreverdemocrat]

09:54 PM on 09/02/2011

Just stating the glaring obviousness of it all. NO ONE cares what this man has to say, otherwise, he'd be above 0% in the GOP primary.

Get serious, already.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:11 PM on 09/01/2011

Huntsman's presidential campaign is nonsense. He is at 1% or 2% and going nowhere

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:14 AM on 09/02/2011

Only because the press is going for shiny meltdowns like Perry and Bachmann.

[Steve-G]

04:23 AM on 09/02/2011

I do agree he is far more reasonable that the rest. That automatically disqualifies him from having even a remote chance of winning the nomination this time around though.

But are you really saying the press has too much influence on republicans? No! Really?

[HHarvey]

09:10 PM on 09/01/2011

He's the only pragmatic republican running... ergo he will never make it past the primaries.

[keemia]

09:01 PM on 09/01/2011

He wants to decrease taxes by going after corporations who are not paying there taxes? Taking the idea of "talking from both sides of your mouth" to a whole new level.

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:31 AM on 09/02/2011

There are huge differences between the tax rate, the tax code and loopholes, write offs and corporate welfare. You should know that.

[keemia]

05:56 PM on 09/02/2011

I know the difference. Just tell me how is tax reduction related to going after corporations who don't pay taxes?

[wgpbp]

08:39 PM on 09/01/2011

This guy can't win. Irrelevant.

Next, nothing to see here, keep moving.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:12 PM on 09/01/2011

Hell would freeze over before Republicans would nominate Huntsman.

[wgpbp]

09:17 PM on 09/01/2011

Nominating Huntsman wouldbe a good sign fron God that Hell was going to freeze over.

Bachman might like that analogy.

Just kidding - - a little humor - -But true. Bachman is not electable either. Just saying.

I'm still looking.

[wakeupyouall]

08:04 PM on 09/01/2011

He is the only adult in the room. I'll never make it through the primaries because he isn't extreme enough.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:12 PM on 09/01/2011

He is a non-candidate. He is the Republican's Joe Lieberman.

[Steve-G]

04:26 AM on 09/02/2011

Not sure the analogy applies: Joe Lieberman is reviled by the democratic party while Huntsman just seems to be totally ignored by republicans.

[utahbro]

07:40 PM on 09/01/2011

Jon Huntsman - What the Republican Party used to look like before they went off the deep end. I can't understand why he isn't polling better because he is a reasonable and intelligent man. He's the one Republican that actually shows some respect for President Obama. Perhaps he should change over to being and Independent or a Democrat because he sure doesn't act like a fringe Republican.

[Cousin Earl]

07:50 PM on 09/01/2011

The reason he isn't polling better is because he IS a reasonable and intelligent man... except on the occasions he half-heartedly throws some red meat to the crazies.

[wakeupyouall]

08:06 PM on 09/01/2011

his kind of republican have move to the dems who are now where the old Wasp repubs used to be.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:15 PM on 09/01/2011

He will have a long way to go because all the Democrats have moved to the far left with Obama.

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:22 AM on 09/02/2011

Ridiculous. Dems, new or old, in no way share old Repub values, goals or methods.

[Bufford P Tusser]

07:35 PM on 09/01/2011

Sorry Jon, you're making entirely too much sense.

The klown car's full and the company on that road trip would make you pull your hair out anyway.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:15 PM on 09/01/2011

What does Jon Huntsman make sense on??

[RedDonnaAnn]

01:25 AM on 09/02/2011

Simplifying the tax code, lowering corporate tax rates, eliminating loopholes, making us more competitive with countries like China.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/08/huntsman-unveils-economic-plan/EaG9972xXVpV487E3dsENN/index.html

[Olethea]

07:23 PM on 09/01/2011

FIrst Christie and now Huntsman criticizing the GOP?

Is this opposite day or something?

[CSIP]

07:18 PM on 09/01/2011

i wish this guy had a chance. not saying i would vote for him in the end, but he seems like a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the lot.

[Bufford P Tusser]

07:38 PM on 09/01/2011

Might be able to get an honest, grown-up debate on what's important, you know, moving America forwards not back.

[LeftLeanWing]

08:16 PM on 09/01/2011

He's like  a Glade Stickup in a Biker Bar Bathroom on Egg Noodle Night

[WOMD]

10:07 PM on 09/01/2011

lol...nice

[ebethgay]

07:17 PM on 09/01/2011

I seriously wish saner heads in the Republican Party would prevail, because I would vote for Jon Huntsman. Instead, I'll be voting against whichever insane person wins the slugfest.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:17 PM on 09/01/2011

Why would you vote for Jon Huntsman?

[pyradius]

11:32 PM on 09/01/2011

Well let's see, under his governorship:

*Utah saw balanced budgets, reduced waste, a rainy day fund that grew by one-third -- during a recession -- and the largest tax cut in the states history

*Utah growing at more than double the national rate, adding more jobs than any state in the country.

He did all this while still still spending on public works (mass transit), actually has a sane view of the scientific method, and has some environmental creds to boot.

This makes him the _only_ Republican I would ever consider voting for.

[orbs]

07:03 PM on 09/01/2011

The currently hiding in far right affiliation embarrassment, moderate republicans are BOUND to wake up.

Counting Huntsman out is hugely premature. The GOP convention is a year away. Unlike the early flash annd bang candidates...he's rigged for a marathon. All he has to do is keep plugging away. Those that are currently disengaged from politics, who won't bother with paying attention until a couple of months prior the convention...simply have yet to be exposed to Huntsman. All those people are seeing for the time being are the noisy blowhards that media like to push for some easy controversy ratings.

Again...its far too soon to count Huntsman and the moderate right out.

[JazzOrgan626]

09:17 PM on 09/01/2011

The Republicans will NEVER nominate Huntsman.

[orbs]

09:21 PM on 09/01/2011

The far right won't...but then, the far is just a fraction of the rest of the right. Eventually, the moderates will shake off their shame...and push the margin off the page. At which point, Huntsman is their choice.

He's the ONLY one with a chance to beat Obama.

[Steve-G]

04:43 AM on 09/02/2011

Keep telling yourself that. Have you been paying attention at all to the primary?

[orbs]

07:20 AM on 09/02/2011

lol....you mean the 2012 primary?

As in...its still 2011 with a year to go yet before the GOP selects a nominee...that primary?

Yea, I figure I'll keep telling myself theres too many people counting him out way too early.