Jon Huntsman, Donald Trump Engage In Twitter War

GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's campaign engaged in a terse Twitter battle with real estate mogul Donald Trump on Thursday.

MSNBC's First Read details how the 140-characters-or-less conflict unfolded. While Rick Perry and Mitt Romney have met with Trump directly, and Herman Cain plans to do so next week, Huntsman has demonstrated minimal interest in courting the billionaire businessman.

On Monday, Huntsman's spokesman, Tim Miller, made several quips about Trump's meetings with GOP rivals, making clear that Huntsman would not be coming to New York to seek Trump's support. Two days later, Fox News released a poll, which showed that the Donald's endorsement would have a more negative than positive impact on GOP hopefuls.

With that combination in hand, Trump fired back at Huntsman, tweeting from his official account on Thursday: "@JonHuntsman has zero chance of getting the nomination. Whoever said I wanted to meet him? Time is money and I don't waste mine."

Recent numbers have painted a poor picture for the former Utah governor, who was on the brink of exclusion from the upcoming Oct. 18 CNN debate in Las Vegas. But as The Hill notes, Huntsman pulled together 4 percent in that Wednesday Fox News poll, sealing his eligibility for the next Republican television rumble.

Poll numbers aside, Huntsman's campaign was quick to strike back at Trump. Miller delivered a reply Thursday, tweeting: "@JonHuntsman isn't wasting his time w/ Presidential Apprentice. His focus is on real solutions to fix our economy."

While Huntsman appears committed to focusing on other talking points, Trump still seems to hold clout within the GOP field. A Monday Associated Press report noted that candidates are seeking the "Celebrity Apprentice" host's advice and approval.

Moving on without Trump's help, Huntsman's campaign announced a major move on Thursday regarding its headquarters. The AP reports that the former Utah governor is shuttering the doors on his Orlando, Fla. foothold. His new base will be in Manchester, N.H., signaling the importance of a strong performance in that state for his campaign.

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Comments

[jitlonas]

04:07 PM on 10/04/2011

"With that combination in hand, Trump fired back at Huntsman, tweeting from his official account on Thursday: "@JonHuntsman has zero chance of getting the nomination. Whoever said I wanted to meet him? Time is money and I don't waste mine."

Sounds like sour grapes to me....

[CFL68]

11:39 PM on 09/30/2011

For top tier elected officials, why doesn't US switch to a two round (run-off) system for both primaries and the general election?

This would make it possible for credible candidates to build some traction for a final run off. We often see that all votes gravitate to the front runners, even if many people like what other candidates have to say. This virtually eliminates them from process, because a vote for a lower polling candidate is almost like voting for the 'other' guy.

Why not vote for who you really like in the first round and see what happens. I wonder if a fellow like Huntsman would get more traction. Some people don't get votes just because the electorate who likes them is convinced 'they could never win.'

[Jody Ferrell]

08:38 PM on 09/30/2011

lol, that dude is such an egghead. I mean seriously man.
anonymize.it.tc

[usrnmna]

07:02 AM on 10/16/2011

Hi, if you're saying Huntsman is an egghead (intellectual, highbrow), I'd totally agree. Trump is the antithesis of an egghead.

[informed girl]

02:20 PM on 09/30/2011

Jon Huntsman. To smart and decent for the Republicans.

[RepublicansAreFail]

01:43 PM on 09/30/2011

Donald Frump is a clown. No credibility whatsoever.

[MichaelC]

12:37 PM on 09/30/2011

Anyone who is not a Republicon fanatic or Tea Party zombie has to hope for the sake of the country that Jon Huntsman has a chance of winning the nomination. The alternatives are too awful or too ridiculous to believe.

[bessielil]

12:15 PM on 09/30/2011

Hardly, a twitter battle. Just a Trump 'I won't talk to you after you say you won't attempt to talk to me, so you know if you wanted to talk to ME, I wouldn't see YOU. So there.'

It seems as though Huntsman has not gone through the grovel part of this primary strategy.

He also has not felt the need to 'walk anything back', either. Consistent. Huntsman and Paul. Depth of world view. Huntsman. Likelihood of getting the nomination? Trump's right, but for all the wrong reasons.

[boxiana]

12:02 PM on 09/30/2011

Why would anyone want to meet that greasy bufffoon?

[UniversalStop]

11:32 AM on 09/30/2011

Jon Huntsman: Another republican victim of sanity.

[pepper1311]

11:22 AM on 09/30/2011

Donald, you were born on third base and said you hit a triple. Now go away.

[MountPanic]

11:10 AM on 09/30/2011

I have little respect for anyone who'd still call themselves a Republican today, but Huntsman, you're better than that filth. Wash it off and walk away.

[pherron lowe]

10:55 AM on 09/30/2011

kudos to you mr.jon huntsman. unlike others,told the donald "stuff it" good for you...

[Parade Keegan]

10:52 AM on 09/30/2011

I can't believe anyone would kowtow to Trump. Meeting with Trump is degrading.... Palin did it, this should be evidence enough of the foolishness of those "hopefuls" who do. Trump doesn't speak for me but apparently there's many who feel differently, lol.

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=13419250

http://www.marketing-ideas.org/donald-trump-bankruptcy-the-truth-about-trump-and-his-failures-1001

[TheEmptyMonty]

10:48 AM on 09/30/2011

His fate was sealed when he said he trusted scientists on evolution and global warming.

Reality is not a message that resonates with Republican voters.

[redsongia]

10:46 AM on 09/30/2011

The twitter fight is cute, but who can ever forget the complete spanking Trump recieved from the actual President the night of the correspondant's dinner?