Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
In evaluating a candidate for office, there are -- ultimately -- only two questions to ask:
- What has he done that is relevant to the office he seeks? and
- Can he get into office and, once there, deliver on his previous record?
All else is details.
Based on the answers to these questions, I believe Gov. Jon Huntsman is the best of the remaining candidates to challenge President Obama next fall. None of the others offers his combination of conservative accomplishment in office, electability against the president, and likelihood for success once there.
As to the first question, Governor Huntsman has record of achievement in Utah that should give conservatives of all varieties much to applaud. Tax hawks can note that he reduced sales, business, and state income taxes, saving Utah's taxpayers a net of $409M. Pro-lifers may note that Huntsman signed three anti-abortion bills while in office: one banning second-trimester abortions, another making third-trimester abortions count as felonies, and a third requiring abortion providers to explain that unborn children experience pain. Libertarians and gun-owners can celebrate his liberalization of Utah's draconian alcohol laws and Utah H.B. 357, recognizing the right of citizens to carry concealed weapons on their property and in their vehicles without a license. As Michael Brendan Dougherty wrote in his superb profile of the governor this past summer:
In Jon Huntsman’s America, once a child survives the first trimester, he’s well on the way to having a rifle in his small hands and extra money in his pockets.
That said, Huntsman's record is far from perfect. The most significant failure of his administration was on spending, where his record was truly abysmal, increasing it by 6.8%/yr in real terms over the course of his governorship. Additionally, Huntsman's lack of concern over the TARP bailouts as well as his health care reform package -- a smaller, more efficient version RomneyCare, though without the individual mandate -- were stains on his record.
But even with these fiscal blemishes, the libertarian Cato Institute still ranked Huntsman as one of the best governors in the country in 2006 with 59 points (6th best) and 2008 with 60 points (7th best). In comparison, Gov. Rick Perry received 61 and 60 points in the same rankings, while Gov. Tim Pawlenty received 55 and 56.
Some social conservatives may object to the domestic partnership law Huntsman signed in Utah. Whatever one's feelings on the matter, this is a position squarely in the American mainstream and no different than President Obama's (purported) stance. Simply put, most Americans want the issue to go away. Note that Gov. Perry's now-infamous "Strong" video -- where he stated that "there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school" -- is already the 4th most unpopular video in the history of YouTube (by number of "dislikes"). The marriage issue can't win a presidency, though it can go a long way toward losing it.
As for whether he can beat Obama, Huntsman has three advantages over his primary opponents. First, unlike all the previous Not-Romneys, Huntsman looks better on close inspection than he does at first glance; if he can rise in the polls, he's unlikely to fall back again. Second, his diplomatic demeanor and lack of interest in playing the hotblooded culture warrior make him more attractive to moderates and independents. Third, his nomination will put the president at a tactical disadvantage; sure, it's possible to attack a man whose last job was answering his president's call to serve and who resigned amicably only a year ago...but it's tougher to pull off when you're that president.
Lastly, as to what Huntsman would do in office. In addition to his record -- the best indicator we have as to how he would govern -- he has taken three important stances that indicate how he would govern. Like the other candidates, he has promised to sign a repeal ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank. More importantly, he has unambiguously endorsed the Rep. Ryan's Path to Prosperity which. As you may recall, Romney cannot bring himself to a decision on and which Newt Gingrich called "right wing social engineering." Lastly, he proposed a solid tax reform plan that would flatten and reduce the income tax rates (while removing deductions) and lower the corporate tax rate by 10%, a plan the the WSJ called "as impressive as any to date in the GOP Presidential field." Huntsman's proposals are at least as good as any of his opponents and success in any of them would mark a significant achievement.
As for foreign policy, with the Iraq War is over, and the Afghanistan War is coming to an end soon, other challenges are ahead of us. Huntsman's experiences in Asia as ambassador to Singapore and China appear to have given him a clear, critical eye of our interests there that should serve a president quite well. And while I would prefer to have seen a more deep throated-opposition to the president's congressionally-unapproved campaign in Libya, he still opposed it.
Governor Huntsman is far from the ideal GOP candidate: he's made significant errors in office and has done an unaccountably terrible job of wooing Republican voters. But, to paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, one goes to the primaries with the candidates one has. Huntsman is more conservative than Mitt Romney, more reliable than Newt Gingrich, and more likely to beat President Obama than Rick Perry (let alone Rep. Bachmann or Sen. Santorum). For someone who wants to see a smaller, less intrusive, more competent, less grandiose federal government, Huntsman isn't merely safest choice, he's the best choice.
This year, he's my choice.
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Comments :
Nov '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Huntsman seems a very credible candidate on record alone, and he has the right stand on pretty well everything. But every time I see him on stage I can't escape the certainty that he would be sliced and diced in a general campaign. He may make a good running mate for someone, and it may help that he's burned fewer bridges than others.
The bit about Gingrich's statement about the Ryan plan is overblown. Gingrich has explained it to my satisfaction and apparently he and Ryan have cleared the air and are on the same page. In fact, come to think of it, Ryan might make a decent running mate for Gingrich,which could balance some of Gingrich's progressive tendencies in domestic policy. Gingrich has the foreign policy most conservatives are looking for.
May '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Thanks for the rundown.
Nov '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
"Jon Huntsman ... blew out Utah’s budget, raising government spending by a whopping 33 percent. ... Huntsman was a spendaholic and global-warming alarmist who was lax on illegal immigration and favored a government mandate that citizens purchase health insurance. ... In 2009, Huntsman opined that the problem with Obama’s failed Keynesian stimulus was that it wasn’t big enough -- it should have been $1 trillion. ... On foreign policy ... he appears to be a transnational progressive of the Council on Foreign Relations bent who never met a treaty he didn’t like."
-- Andrew C. McCarthy, December 17, 2011
Jan '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
All of which are points against Huntsman, and all of which I mentioned in my endorsement
What's grating me is that, in an article (rightfully) decrying the editors for cherry-picking Gingrich's record, McCarthy turns around and does the same thing to Huntsman. Tax reform/reduction package in Utah? No mention. Pro-life, pro-gun record? Not a single word about them.
Again -- even with his spending spree -- the Cato Institute still ranked Huntsman as virtually tied with Perry in two separate surveys. How this makes Huntsman a moderate and Perry a conservative must be above my pay-grade.
Edited on Dec 18, 2011 at 5:38pmMar '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom,
May I see your Tea Party membership card, please?
Feb '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom Meyer
.....
Again -- even with his spending spree -- the Cato Institute still ranked Huntsman as virtually tied with Perry in two separate surveys. How this makes Huntsman a moderate and Perry a conservative must be above my pay-grade. · Dec 17 at 2:14pm
Edited on Dec 18 at 05:38 pm
Personally, I think people overrate Perry's conservative credentials. The comparison doesn't do much to raise my opinion of either man.
Oct '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Oh No! Tom wants the dorky substitute to be our regular teacher.
Feb '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom Meyer
All of which are points against Huntsman, and all of which I mentioned in my endorsement
What's grating me is that, in an article (rightfully) decrying the editors for cherry-picking Gingrich's record, McCarthy turns around and does the same thing to Huntsman. Tax reform/reduction package in Utah? No mention. Pro-life, pro-gun record? Not a single word about them.
The points McCarthy brings up aren't merely weaknesses; they're indicators of an instinct that is downright unconservative and even progressive - guns, tax cuts, and abortion notwithstanding.
May '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
The Cloaked Gaijin: "Jon Huntsman ... blew out Utah’s budget, raising government spending by a whopping 33 percent.
-- Andrew C. McCarthy, December 17, 2011 · Dec 17 at 11:25am
Tax revenue went way up during Huntsmans' term due to a booming economy. He still balanced the budget. One could criticize him for not rebating the excess revenue back to the citizens of the great state of Utah.
May '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
In terms of record Huntsman and Perry are essentially the same guy. However, I find Perry more straightforward, trustworthy, and, in this election cycle, more clear in his willingness to support bold reforms (rather than pander to the media, which is all that Huntsman has done).
Foreign Policy experience is Huntsman's biggest strength over Perry, however his experience is almost entirely in economic affairs and East Asia. This experience is obviously worthwhile, but I find his broader foreign policy positions, particularly on themes outside of these areas, leaving much to be desired. Moreover, I think Perry is more qualified to step in as Commander in Chief given his close connections and experience with the military.
Edited on Dec 20, 2011 at 6:51amAug '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
I'll keep Huntsman in mind when they get to Louisiana. I am firmly in the ABR camp and I have been leaning toward Gingrich since Cain left the race. But Huntsman bears looking at.
I am still holding out hope that that my one-true-candidate will declare and run.
May '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
The most important issue this election cycle is the repeal of osamacare. Little else matters. It is the entire future of our republic that is at stake. Caesar is about to cross the Rubicon and end it all.
I don't see how anyone who has endorsed federal medical care can be considered, unless they at the very least repent. Huntsman and Romney need not apply for the job.
Sep '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom Meyer
All of which are points against Huntsman, and all of which I mentioned in my endorsement
I didn't see this point about the stimulus bill in your post. Is it accurate?
If accurate, it basically means he views economics the same way as Paul Krugman. Is that not disturbing?
Jan '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Gus Marvinson: Tom,
May I see your Tea Party membership card, please? · Dec 20 at 5:42am
Sure.
I crossed-posted the endorsement on the Greater Boston Tea Party website, of which I am an an administrator (redesign coming!). You may also see me in GBTP Facebook photographs from the 2011 Boston Tax Day Rally, and in this Instapundit-featured video of GBTP members picking up trash after counter-protesting a public employees union rally.
Happy to clear that up for you.
Edited on Dec 20, 2011 at 8:10amAug '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
And I like Everett Dirksen, but they both have the same handicaps. One's dead and the other appears so.
Apr '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
R. Craigen: Huntsman seems a very credible candidate on record alone, and he has the right stand on pretty well everything. But every time I see him on stage I can't escape the certainty that he would be sliced and diced in a general campaign. He may make a good running mate for someone, and it may help that he's burned fewer bridges than others.
The bit about Gingrich's statement about the Ryan plan is overblown. Gingrich has explained it to my satisfaction and apparently he and Ryan have cleared the air and are on the same page. In fact, come to think of it, Ryan might make a decent running mate for Gingrich,which could balance some of Gingrich's progressive tendencies in domestic policy. Gingrich has the foreign policy most conservatives are looking for. ·
They are not on the same page, but their Venn diagrams of acceptable policy positions now overlap. It was easier to get Senator Wyden, a liberal Democrat, on board, though.
Jan '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Mark Belling Fan
I didn't see this point about the stimulus bill in your post...If accurate, it basically means he views economics the same way as Paul Krugman. Is that not disturbing?
Shoot, I missed that one. It's accurate but it's not quite as bad as it sounds (though still pretty bad). From the Club for Growth report:
Short version: Huntsman wanted more tax relief in addition to the spending increases.
Edited on Dec 20, 2011 at 8:07amSep '10
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom Meyer
Short version: Huntsman wanted more tax relief in addition to the spending increases. · Dec 20 at 8:06am
Edited on Dec 20 at 08:07 am
Also in his defense, had McCain, Huckabee, or Romney been elected in 2008 they'd all have engaged in some form or another of stimulus. Of course I can't prove that, but I highly suspect it to be true. Republicans from roughly the late 90's til the onset of the Tea Party were fat, happy, and loved to "solve problems" by spending money.
Still, the fact that he has the quote, "it probably wasn't large enough", in his background would be a nightmare in a general election campaign.
Mar '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
Tom Meyer
Gus Marvinson: Tom,
May I see your Tea Party membership card, please? · Dec 20 at 5:42am
Sure.
I crossed-posted the endorsement on the Greater Boston Tea Party website, of which I am an an administrator (redesign coming!). You may also see me in GBTP Facebook photographs from the 2011 Boston Tax Day Rally, and in this Instapundit-featured video of GBTP members picking up trash after counter-protesting a public employees union rally.
Happy to clear that up for you. · Dec 20 at 7:55am
Edited on Dec 20 at 08:10 am
Ah! Boston, Mass. Carry on!
Jul '11
Re: Why This Tea Partier Supports Gov. Jon Huntsman
I met him at a quick draw competition at a rodeo this summer. He seemed quite personable and looked me in the eye when I shook his hand. Good handshake, I envision Obama to have a limp one for some reason. Whoever gets the nod gets my vote and there is worse than Huntsman I would vote for.