The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Yesterday, our own Diane Ellis penned what I found to be the most thoughtful piece I've yet read by a conservative slowly shedding some misgivings about Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign. As a Huntsman detractor from the get-go (this particularly stirred my blood), I haven't been paying particularly close attention to the former Utah governor for the past several months. But, given the paucity of alternatives, even I have been tempted towards a fleeting moment of Huntsman Reconsideration Syndrome -- and Diane made as strong a case as possible. But upon reading the Boston Globe's endorsement of him this morning, I'm reminded all over again of why I balked in the first place. A few of the resume entries that the Globe thinks are selling points:
He has stood up far more forcefully than Romney against those in his party who reject evolution and the science behind global warming...
... he gave tax credits to companies developing solar energy...
... [he] joined the Western Climate Initiative, which set goals for reducing greenhouse gases...
... When the national economy fell into recession, some Republican governors made a show of rejecting federal stimulus money on ideological grounds; sensibly, Huntsman took the money. While he endorsed the notion of a federal stimulus, he also offered a credible critique of the way the Democratic Congress had structured the plan...
For those of you on the East Coast revisiting the prospect of supporting the Huntsman campaign, take a word of warning from a Californian: I've seen this movie before. It starred Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Dec '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Troy Senik, Ed.
For those of you on the East Coast revisiting the prospect of supporting the Huntsman campaign, take a word of warning from a Californian: I've seen this movie before. It starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. ·
Heh, heh.
That hits the nail on the head.
Dec '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Let us not forget his gushing love notes to Barack Obama.
Sep '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
I've seen this movie before. It starred Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That would be the movie Twins.
May '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
I agree, and add more from my comment of yesterday on Diane's post- whatever he says, he probably doesn't mean most of it.
But when conservatives are jumping at Huntsman now, it seems to me a sign that the apocalypse of RDS (Romney Derangement Syndrome) has taken over completely.
Jan '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
As a Huntsman supporter, I think the Globe's endorsement is the worst possible thing that could have happened to Huntsman; it's up there with McCain's endorsement of Romney.
That said, it's hardly surprising that the Boston Globe wrote an endorsement that plays up Huntsman's liberal-friendly positions on climate change. But look at it this way: a huge Northeast newspaper just endorsed a pro-life, gun-loving, tax-flattening governor. If Huntsman's going to continue to enact that kind of policy as president, why should I care if the MSM press likes him?
As regards Schwarzenegger, I think the comparison fails on two points. First, we had no idea how Arnold would govern as he'd never been in office; Huntsman's a two-term governor and I challenge everyone to take a look at his actual record (warts and all). Second, Arnold was stuck with an entrenched and recalcitrant legislature, while whomever wins the Republican nomination will likely have a very friendly congress.
Aug '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Did the Globe endorse him for President, or merely for the Republican nomination?
Mar '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
The most depressing part of the Huntsman candidacy isn't Huntsman, but the fact that he is arguably at least as conservative, if not more so, than the odds-on favorite to win the Republican nomination.
I gave on up Huntsman a while back when it became clear that he lacks certain personality traits which are key to being president (such as being likable). Nonetheless, I would advise those throwing stones at Huntsman now to watch out for the glass shards when they leave their houses on November 6th to cast a vote for Mitt Romney.
Edited on Jan 6 at 3:21pmAug '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Come on, Kindergarten Cop wasn't that bad.
I can see Huntsman now, running around with a ferret, lecturing everyone on climate change and fire drill safety...
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Totally agree.
Actually, what precluded Huntsman from my consideration for so long in the first place were the rave reviews that my ultra-liberal college friends gave him when I went to visit them in NYC last summer. I figured that if these elitist, pro-abortion, statist pals of mine (bless their hearts) saw something positive in Huntsman, then there was, in all likelihood, nothing about the man for a conservative like me to admire.
Jul '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Well this is the second telling but I met him at the Reno rodeo where he and his wife got in front of me, cameras and all, for a quick draw competition that my 16 yr old (who does this sort of thing)insisted he would beat me in. He had nice teeth, a good handshake and a personality (lack thereof that is)similar to the 8 armed invertebrate in Claire's thread. He seemed 8 inches shorter than me. He drew, shot and hit in 1.3 seconds. My kid got .9 and I got .8 secs. In your face Rino.
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
The sort of support that the Boston Globe offers Huntsman sought from the git-go. Remember the spread in Vogue.
Apr '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Totally agree.
Actually, what precluded Huntsman from my consideration for so long in the first place were the rave reviews that my ultra-liberal college friends gave him when I went to visit them in NYC last summer. I figured that if these elitist, pro-abortion, statist pals of mine (bless their hearts) saw something positive in Huntsman, then there was, in all likelihood, nothing about the man for a conservative like me to admire. · Jan 6 at 3:18pm
In this thread's tradition of recycling Dianne's thread comments, the Globe endorsement isn't the worst thing that could happen to him. That would be his camp's endorsement of Rachel Maddow, on the basis that Maddow liked him. Compared to her, the Globe is pretty centrist.
That said, the Globe's endorsement (and Maddow's) might help in New Hampshire, a (semi) open primary state where a lot of Globe and Maddow fans who commute to Boston live.
Apr '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
I should also note that every vote counts for Huntsman in New Hampshire. There's a cut-off point of 10%, and everyone who is not Paul or Romney hovers fairly close to it. Since he won't get a delegate in Utah (a winner takes all state in which he is dwarfed), if he fails to get a delegate in NH, even if he ran all the way to the convention, Reagan style, if his votes didn't improve of decrease from current statewide polling, he would receive 0 delegates. It is unusual for a candidate to make it to the early primaries with as pathetic a level of support as he has, and the campaign and debates will be improved when he drops out. This, despite his being relatively sound on policy and electable if he was picked as the nominee.
Jun '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
This endorsement merely confirms why I believe that Huntsman is our worst choice (except for Ron Paul).
Jul '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Is there any scenario where he gets more than 5%?. There's only so far the Maddow vote can take you. Will he drop out if he shows as poorly as expected and if he doesn't then why?
May '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Herman Cain is still on the ballot here in FL. I may just vote for him.
Mar '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Nettlesome Endorsement of Jon Huntsman
Additionally, let's keep the context in mind here: the Boston Globe is not endorsing Jon Huntsman in place of endorsing Barack Obama.
"Oh, yes, he's a Republican who has taken some sensible positions, sure, but he's nothing compared to The One. Of course we're going to endorse Obama!"
When the Globe's editorial board actually endorses a Republican because they have listened to both sides of the argument and believe he (or she) has the better of it, then I'll begin talking what that editorial board has to say seriously. In the meantime, this is just another puff piece enumerating platitude after platitude.
Huntsman deserves to be judged on his record, on his accomplishments, on his arguments, and on his plans once in office: but his record has been touted by a number of liberal sources as being much more conservative than it is.
Again, context matters--Huntsman governed moderately in perhaps the reddest state in the nation. He was strong on taxes, growth, guns, and abortion. He was an ambassador to our largest trading partner and speaks a very difficult language. But he's also weak on environmental issues, TARP, Obamacare, spending, and stimulus.