Hey Conservatives: What do you think of Jon Huntsman?

I may be progressive, but honestly I can stomach Huntsman much more than ANY other Republican candidate. Why isn't there more support for genuine people like him or even flippity-floppity Mittens? Many conservatives I see are blowing trumpets for losers like Bachmann or Perry.

Sidenote: Huntsman is cool, but I disagree with most if not all of his economic positions.

He's setting himself up for 2016 after the Tea Party looses 2012 for the Republicans. Voting Republicans will likely realize that only the Establishment candidates can bring them White House for the next few elections.

The party has shifted to the right, and he's failed to shift with it. I can't fault him for it, but it's going to cost him in the primary.mattbbpl

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

He should be Obamas new VP. He would get more independents. DroidPhysX

At a serious cost to the Progressive vote. That would obliterate the democratic left wing vote as well as the youth vote.

Lets be clear on something. Out of the current field only Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, or (ugh) Newt Gingrich have any shot at winning a general election unless the voting public decides to way outdo itself on the whole shooting itself in the foot thing.

Any one of the others would all be far worse than Bush the Lesser at his worst, which is saying something.

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

coolbeans90

Long time no speak coolbeans :D

Who are the big three you're talking about? Mittens,Bachmann, and Perry?

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

coolbeans90

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

Ultimas_Blade

Long time no speak coolbeans :D

Who are the big three you're talking about? Mittens,Bachmann, and Perry?

It has been a while.

And, yes. As it stands, those three seem to be the only likely contenders. (things could change, though)

Lets be clear on something. Out of the current field only Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, or (ugh) Newt Gingrich have any shot at winning a general election unless the voting public decides to way outdo itself on the whole shooting itself in the foot thing.

Any one of the others would all be far worse than Bush the Lesser at his worst, which is saying something.

Aidenfury19

Although Newt Gingrich has been doing an awful job in handling his candidacy, he is one of the few legitimate GOP candidates who actually knows what he's talking about.

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]He should be Obamas new VP. He would get more independents. Ultimas_Blade

At a serious cost to the Progressive vote. That would obliterate the democratic left wing vote as well as the youth vote.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

taj7575

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

taj7575

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

Right now, I don't believe Bachmann has a chance in hell. She's a good fundraiser, but that's about it. Perry is about to sap her tea-poweras he tries to play lone ranger for the "don't tread on me" crowd. Ultimately I believe it will come down to Perry and Mitt, andPerrywill eat him alive in the primary.

Dealing with the topic though, although Huntsman seems like a great guy and possibly a great candidate, it is getting to the point where both Liberals and Conservatives are moving to the extremes of their beliefs, especially the Conservatives and the Tea Party movement (not to say that the Progressive movement isn't growing either). Not surprising though, when times are tough, people look towards more extreme policies than sticking with what has been the status quo for the US in terms of policy making for the economy.

He does seem like a good candidate though, and I may possibly vote for him, but I want to hear more on his opinion on monetary policy. I don't want too moderate of a candidate anyways..The US definitely does need a change on how it manages it's fiscal and monetary policies.

I personally like him. And lawl @ Mittens.

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

coolbeans90

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

Not to the extent of Mitt Romney though. Did you watch the most recent republican debate? He literally dodged some important questions dealing with his policy making, just to get to the point of how Obama is a bad president, and only a strong leader can create jobs, etc, etc..I mean, what is relevant about that?

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

-Sun_Tzu-

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

Yeah, sadly, that's what it looks like this GOP candidacy is coming down to. The "big three" (awful politicians) raising a lot of money and winning the popular vote. I was hoping this year's election would be a bit different........

This is why Huntsman > All other GOP candidates:

[spoiler] [/spoiler]

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I like him. Calm, level-headedness is severely underrated these days. Unfortunately, he's taking votes away from the only viable candidate of the "big three", Mitt Romney.

coolbeans90

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

Funny how that works (2008 all the Democrats were onthe "I'm not Bush" line of politics). I don't think the "I'm not Obama" will work as well because Conservatives have turned the idea of Obama into a caricature, something that won't work well when they share a stage debating him.

Rhetorically, I don't think the Conservative candidates that could win the primary (Mitt or Perry) can best Obama in a debate.

Funny how that works (2008 all the Democrats were onthe "I'm not Bush" line of politics). I don't think the "I'm not Obama" will work as well because Conservatives have turned the idea of Obama into a caricature, something that won't work well when they share a stage debating him.

Rhetorically, I don't think the Conservative candidates that could win the primary (Mitt or Perry) can best Obama in a debate.

Ultimas_Blade

On the topic of Perry, I have no idea why fiscal conservatives would ever support him. If they hate Obama, they should hate Perry.

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="taj7575"]

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

taj7575

Yeah, sadly, that's what it looks like this GOP candidacy is coming down to. The "big three" (awful politicians) raising a lot of money and winning the popular vote. I was hoping this year's election would be a bit different........

[QUOTE="Ultimas_Blade"]

Funny how that works (2008 all the Democrats were onthe "I'm not Bush" line of politics). I don't think the "I'm not Obama" will work as well because Conservatives have turned the idea of Obama into a caricature, something that won't work well when they share a stage debating him.

Rhetorically, I don't think the Conservative candidates that could win the primary (Mitt or Perry) can best Obama in a debate.

DroidPhysX

On the topic of Perry, I have no idea why fiscal conservatives would ever support him. If they hate Obama, they should hate Perry.

Exactly! "Big" Government? Rick Perry. Lots of those "awful" Government Jobs? Rick Perry.

Right now, I don't believe Bachmann has a chance in hell. She's a good fundraiser, but that's about it. Perry is about to sap her tea-poweras he tries to play lone ranger for the "don't tread on me" crowd. Ultimately I believe it will come down to Perry and Mitt, andPerrywill eat him alive in the primary.

Ultimas_Blade

It does seem to me that Perry and Bachmann are targeting slightly different crowds, albeit with a significant amount of overlap. I see Perry going after the evangelicals where Bachmann is going after the Tea Party. In any case, although Perry will take more votes than Bachmann, I don't see Bachmann dropping the race. This will cause a much needed split for Romney.

The reason why he is a viable candidate is because he can raise money. That's also why Huntsman isn't a viable candidate. -Sun_Tzu-

Yeah, sadly, that's what it looks like this GOP candidacy is coming down to. The "big three" (awful politicians) raising a lot of money and winning the popular vote. I was hoping this year's election would be a bit different........

Perry bears an eery resemblance to Dubya, IMO.

[QUOTE="Ultimas_Blade"]

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]He should be Obamas new VP. He would get more independents. DroidPhysX

At a serious cost to the Progressive vote. That would obliterate the democratic left wing vote as well as the youth vote.

Many lefties (not me) sat on their hands in the 2010 elections because the change wasn't coming fast enough. A move like that would cause that to happen again.

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

coolbeans90

Oh he is still nuts, just relatively LESS nuts than many of the other people running for the Republican Party nomination. Lets not redefine crazy everytime the lunatic asylum decides to kick things up a notch.

Perry bears an eery resemblance to Dubya, IMO.

coolbeans90

Perry bears an eery resemblance to Dubya, IMO.

coolbeans90

Dude, he looks just like him. But call me a sucker, I still like the guy.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

I don't see why he's a viable candidate. First of all, it's like he suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a "hardcore conservative". Not to mention he talks more about how bad Obama is as a leader than he does his own policies.

taj7575

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

Not to the extent of Mitt Romney though. Did you watch the most recent republican debate? He literally dodged some important questions dealing with his policy making, just to get to the point of how Obama is a bad president, and only a strong leader can create jobs, etc, etc..I mean, what is relevant about that?

I'd say the amount Obama bashing is at a similar extent for most candidates, even if it isn't the focus of their campaigning strategy. And it makes more sense, than, say, accusing the Fed Chairman of treason.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Perry bears an eery resemblance to Dubya, IMO.

airshocker

Dude, he looks just like him. But call me a sucker, I still like the guy.

Dealing with the topic though, although Huntsman seems like a great guy and possibly a great candidate, it is getting to the point where both Liberals and Conservatives are moving to the extremes of their beliefs

taj7575

It's really not. The "conservatives" which I say with quotes because I fail to see how they are conservative in any real sense have gone further and further off the deep end since Saint Ronnie was in the White House trying to remember his own name; us liberals have largely kept the same positions we've always had. If we seem more extreme it's because we're responding to ever more extreme authoritarians. The contrast simply appears greater as a result of this.

Perry bears an eery resemblance to Dubya, IMO.

coolbeans90

I'm afraid lots of other people see that as well.[spoiler] [/spoiler]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

He stands the greatest chance of winning both the primary and general election and isn't nuts, unlike numerous competitors of his.

Yes, the change of a few political positions is a point of weakness, but minor in comparison to various other candidate's. And, everyone is running on the fact that they are not Obama.

Aidenfury19

Oh he is still nuts, just relatively LESS nuts than many of the other people running for the Republican Party nomination. Lets not redefine crazy everytime the lunatic asylum decides to kick things up a notch.

I'd actually posit that the guy is stable, even taking into account most of the red meat he has thrown to the base.

Do you hate what Obama has done so far?DroidPhysX

Mostly, yes.

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]Do you hate what Obama has done so far?airshocker

Mostly, yes.

Then why would you, to some degree, support Perry? DroidPhysX

Because I honestly don't think it will be a similar Presidency.

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]Then why would you, to some degree, support Perry? airshocker

Because I honestly don't think it will be a similar Presidency.

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]Then why would you, to some degree, support Perry? airshocker

Because I honestly don't think it will be a similar Presidency.

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"] The reason why he is a viable candidate is because he can raise money. That's also why Huntsman isn't a viable candidate. -Sun_Tzu-

Yeah, sadly, that's what it looks like this GOP candidacy is coming down to. The "big three" (awful politicians) raising a lot of money and winning the popular vote. I was hoping this year's election would be a bit different........

Depends. I don't agree with them much either, but right now, I am looking for a candidate tuly ready to change the economic outlook of the US. Of course, a gold standard would be something I would love to have restored, but the whole world is in love with the fiat currency, not to mention Nixon used much of our gold reserves to pay off debts. Besides, I don't see anything changing anways, until of course, another banking collapse, which will sadly be much worse than the 08 recession, and will affect more of the world.

Rhetorically, I don't think the Conservative candidates that could win the primary (Mitt or Perry) can best Obama in a debate.

Ultimas_Blade

That bit does. not. matter.

If Republicans voted on the basis of debate results then Bush would have lost both times. They vote on the basis of who they feel they can relate to and who looks "presidential". Simply by virtue of him being mixed race and from a multicultural background there is a good 20-33% of the Republican Party that would NEVER vote for Obama.

This is the same proportion of the party that firmly clings to the belief that Obama is a foreign born Muslim, Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were buddies, and that nuking Iran/Syria/North Korea is actually a good idea.

They're a minority but they also move the party because they're by far the most vocal component of it. They're of an extremely narrow and narrow-minded religious perspective, they have very compartmentalized minds, and they instinctively distrust if not hate people who they feel are outsiders, which actually means most of the U.S. population.

Rush Limbaugh could get on the air tomorrow and tell them that Obama gave a speech to the Premier of the PRC in a yellow polkadot bikini and they would not only believe him, they'd consider that lie sufficient basis for attempting to impeach. Unfortunately I do not believe I'm exaggerating on this point as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and others continue to tell whoppers even larger than this without consequence or loss of credibility on the part of their listeners.

@Ultima and Droid,

I see what you guys are saying, I just can't help but like the guy.

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

Dealing with the topic though, although Huntsman seems like a great guy and possibly a great candidate, it is getting to the point where both Liberals and Conservatives are moving to the extremes of their beliefs

Aidenfury19

It's really not. The "conservatives" which I say with quotes because I fail to see how they are conservative in any real sense have gone further and further off the deep end since Saint Ronnie was in the White House trying to remember his own name; us liberals have largely kept the same positions we've always had. If we seem more extreme it's because we're responding to ever more extreme authoritarians. The contrast simply appears greater as a result of this.

I actually don't see the problem with progressives getting more..progressive TBH. As for the "Conservatives", they definitely have moved away from conservative though, as IMO it seems the tea party movement has essentially just brought along more social conservatives than actual conservatives who truly believe in proper economic changes (which is basically an..Authoritarian standpoint to Government).

@Ultima and Droid,

I see what you guys are saying, I just can't help but like the guy.

airshocker

But honestly airshocker, that literally makes no sense. As much as Perry will try to differenciate with Obama, their economic policies aren't much different at all. As for socal views...I'm sure we all know about his social views already.

I'm not a fan of most of the other candidates. Maybe Romney. Pawlenty was ok before he sold out to this tea party extremism.

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="taj7575"]

Yeah, sadly, that's what it looks like this GOP candidacy is coming down to. The "big three" (awful politicians) raising a lot of money and winning the popular vote. I was hoping this year's election would be a bit different........

taj7575

Depends. I don't agree with them much either, but right now, I am looking for a candidate tuly ready to change the economic outlook of the US. Of course, a gold standard would be something I would love to have restored, but the whole world is in love with the fiat currency, not to mention Nixon used much of our gold reserves to pay off debts. Besides, I don't see anything changing anways, until of course, another banking collapse, which will sadly be much worse than the 08 recession, and will affect more of the world.