Obama campaign manager: I fear Jon Huntsman the most in 2012
posted at 5:10 pm on May 5, 2009 by Allahpundit
Jon Huntsman, the Utah governor who’s positioned himself as the moderate GOP alternative in 2012 by coming out in favor of civil unions? The RINO-in-chief, in other words?
While no republican presidential candidate yet makes Obama’s team “shake in {their} shoes…,” President Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, now says Governor Jon Huntsman makes him, a “wee bit queasy…I think he’s really out there speaking a lot of truth about the direction of the party.”
To which Kirk Jowers of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics says, “Huntsman has positioned himself in a great place right now because he is the only presidential candidate really running in the middle right now.”
Huntsman spent the weekend in Michigan which is a key G.O.P. primary state.
And Jowers – who has advised three republican presidential candidates – says Huntsman has now, “…become a top five candidate for 2012.”
Reportedly he’s also being advised by former McCain guru John Weaver. Three possible motives for Plouffe to say what he said:
1. It’s true: Huntsman really does make him nervous.
2. Reverse psychology: Huntsman doesn’t make him nervous, but if enough dopey Republicans think he does, maybe they’ll nominate him and it’ll be an easy kill for The One.
3. Reverse reverse psychology: Huntsman does make him nervous, in which case it’s important to kneecap him as soon as possible. Plouffe, being no dummy, knows that Rush et al. will simply assume that he’s practicing briar-patch reverse psychology and will immediately start to tear Huntsman down as a scarecrow whom the Dems would love to face, thereby demonizing him among the Republican base and ruining his chances before the campaign even begins.
Which is it? Also, how does Huntsman hope to capture the nomination with the base favoring a return to Reaganism as the solution to Hopenchange? Presumably his strategy is 2008 redux: Count on Palin, Romney, Huck, and maybe Sanford splitting the social cons amongst themselves while winning all the Brooksian center-rightists for himself. I hope he does run; I’m curious to see just how many of those Brooksians there are.
Update: Ambinder thinks Plouffe is on the level and that Huntsman’s for real, given the early primaries in moderate-leaning states like New Hampshire and Florida. That’s super, but how does Huntsman challenge Obama in the general with who knows how many Christian conservatives staying home out of objection to a nominee who supports civil unions (and who happens to be Mormon)? Are we sure Plouffe doesn’t want to face him?
Blowback
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Well, Plouffe should know.
starfleet_dude on May 5, 2009 at 5:12 PM
“Don’t throw me in that briar patch!!”
ddrintn on May 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Clinton ’96: Bob Dole will mean a CLOSE election
Obama ’08: Please please don’t run John McCain, he could win
no thanks, media.
battleoflepanto1571 on May 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
He might do well in a general election but he would have zero chance being nominated. he is a fiscal conservative and social moderate.
The Wall on May 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
I honestly just want someone strong on national defense who gets the economy. Is that too much to ask?
BadgerHawk on May 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
He would make Utah a lock for the Republicans, but can he carry Wyoming?
Ted Torgerson on May 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
The Presidential campaign will not start for another 2 years because its outcome will entirely depend on the stock trend in the last half-year before the elections.
Relax.
radiofreevillage on May 5, 2009 at 5:14 PM
After 4 years of Obama, I don’t think many Christian conservatives would sit out the election, even if the nominee was Rudy Guiliani recently converted to Mormonism.
BuzzCrutcher on May 5, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Motive #2, without a doubt.
Jim-Rose on May 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
You would think that eventually the Republicans would tire of having the Democrats pick their candidates for them.
percysunshine on May 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
We don’t want no stinkin’ RINO….
ladyingray on May 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
plus, as a mormon, cough cough, there is that huck-a-sham core of “LDS is a cult and i’ll let BHO get a second term than support a family man mormon”. i say they’re about 20% of the gop. “no offense, guys” (in my best carrie prejean), and i say that as a mainline protestant. no way a mormon is prez for at least another generation — too many voters in the gop see it as a cult.
if that’s a cult, i’m in, because i’ve never known mormons to be anything but GOOD for society
battleoflepanto1571 on May 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
What Palin, Romney, et al, need to do is agree not to tear the Republicans apart as occurred in 2008, giving the election to the Dems.
JohnJ on May 5, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Uh, that would be MegMac, McCain and Specter’s errr love child.
Sure, they probably want us to think that blah blah blah…
If we don’t know so much about this guy, I hesitate to smear him…
Upstater85 on May 5, 2009 at 5:16 PM
I think we all know which part is more damaging in the GOP…
Lehosh on May 5, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Does he even stand a chance of re-election in Utah with those stances (or is he term’d?)
Kelligan on May 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Simple…….
………. he doesn’t.
Especially if he is being advised by a former McCain guru….
…….. What’s next, an endorsement by the New York Times?
Seven Percent Solution on May 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
He’s not a RINO.
Utah has some of the most conservative tax laws in the country, and they recently passed a law allowing Concealed Carry on college campuses.
His support for gay marriage notwithstanding, at least he isn’t pro-choice.
jimmy the notable on May 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
If they really are quaking in their boots about a particular candidate, why would they announce who it is? Def. #2.
Pasalubong on May 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
I think I’m going to ignore Plouffe and make my own decision thanks. As far as I’m concerned Plouffe’s comment means nothing to me because its impossible to draw any definitive conclusions from it. We don’t know what his motives are so the best thing to do is ignore him and move on. Let the candidates make their case while blocking my ears and singing “la la la la” everytime somebody like Plouffe or the NYTimes or moderate Republicans speak about our candidates.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
McCain all over again.
Vigilante on May 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM
bluff
jp on May 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM
He doesn’t. Even if he survives the primary, his religion will be as much a problem with Democrats and Independents as it is with Republicans.
RightOFLeft on May 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM
The one they hate and try to destroy is the one they fear. It’s pretty simple.
ddrintn on May 5, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Now, now, Huck-a-sham is nothing but a good “Christian leader” (barf). As an ex-Arkansan, I can tell you that about 98% of us are Christians, but about two-thirds of us Christians tire of his injecting God into everything (‘this is what God wants’ type stuff).
He was ok when he just shut up and re-paved Interstate 40, but most of the time he was an embarrassing disaster, calling us a banana republic, and calling the conservatives up in Wal-Mart country “Shiite Republicans”
battleoflepanto1571 on May 5, 2009 at 5:19 PM
No need to worry, Mr. Plouffe.
We conservatives aren’t going to vote for this guy under any circumstances.
Ain’t gonna happen.
molonlabe28 on May 5, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Hold on a second. Am I reading this wrong is the logic here that supporting civil unions makes you a RINO? President Bush supported civil unions.
amerpundit on May 5, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Its pathetic that his choice of religion is basically a disqualifier in a country like this. Also, I think if he’s the right man for the job, his religion won’t matter. If he’s capable of convincing people that they should look past his religion, then he has a chance, if he can’t convince people of that, then he was never cut out to be the leader of the free world anyway.
jimmy the notable on May 5, 2009 at 5:20 PM
He has a good looking family and won his reelection with almost 80% of the vote. He looks like a winner, but he’s also a Mormon. I see the anti-Mormon bogeymen will be out in full force to destroy him ala Romney.
BJ on May 5, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Allahpundit just doesn’t understand the criteria that some of us use for labeling people RINOs. Its lazy writing, is all.
jimmy the notable on May 5, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Do you really think that being in favor of civil unions qualifies someone for the RINO label, Allah?
I thought he was for civil unions, not gay marriage. Did I miss something?
Y-not on May 5, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Thanks for the info.
Dennis Kucinich scares the crap out of us Republicans. We’d hate to face him in a general election.
I’d love for Eric Cantor to say that.
Matticus Finch on May 5, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Huntsman is a big Dream Theater fan, which is a sure sign that someone is a tool.
Mark1971 on May 5, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Well, as Allah stated, Plouffe wants us to conclude as you did and allow our distrust of Plouffe to tear our candidate apart. Thats why I think its best to pretend Plouffe never said anything and move forward at our own pace. Let our candidates make their case as we move along. Ignore the opposition’s comments about our candidates completely.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM
He sure is making all the right moves -being advised by a “McCain Guru”.
We know how well that worked out for McCain.
DWSC on May 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Oh…and….I’ll say it again.
Closed primaries please. Let Republicans pick their nominee.
Matticus Finch on May 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Never mind, his support for civil unions. But I thought all Republicans supported civil unions these days? Honestly, I’m not really sure why AP thought we would label Huntsman a RINO, UNLESS, it is reverse reverse reverse psychology, because AP doesn’t like Mormons and wants to sabotage Huntsman so he doesn’t have to write nice things about him in the future.
jimmy the notable on May 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM
As if…. and they wish. They do not determine who we pick. Bend over dems, you are about to have an enema.
suzyk on May 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Geez … I mean we all know the drill already. The dems say they “fear” someone means that’s who they want us to vote for.
We get it.
Not a chance Huntsman.
Which is by the way, why they’re not saying they fear Palin.
darwin on May 5, 2009 at 5:24 PM
to every actions their is an equal and opposite reaction.
jcrue on May 5, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Ditto on that. But I just felt #3 gave Plouffe too much Ben Linus evil-manipulative-genius credit. :)
Pasalubong on May 5, 2009 at 5:25 PM
The absence of trolls says something.
the_nile on May 5, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Show me where Obama’s war room is directing their focus and I will show you where their highest priority lies. The initials are SP not JH.
technopeasant on May 5, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Huntsman? Feh.
Daddy-O on May 5, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Which is also why they have to tell us what a polarizing ditz she is with every other breath.
ddrintn on May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I don’t think Allah does think that qualifies him as a RINO but I do think Allah thinks many of us Hotair readers would consider him a RINO for supporting Civil Unions. Hope he corrects me if thats not true because I don’t mean to put words in his mouth but thats my guess.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM
As I said in the Headline thread, Huntsman is basically surprising a lot of people here in Utah.
He got reelected, then suddenly went berserk on this “moderate social issues” thing–like trying to cram civil unions down our throats. That wasn’t even an issue, now it’s about all we hear about. Huntsman is suddenly messing around with our liquor laws, and while they may be a bit strange to the rest of the nation, adding even MORE drunk drivers to the roads isn’t great either.
He’s clearly running for president, not being a good governor. Interestingly, Romney was polled against Huntsman here in Utah not long ago. Romney crushed him like a bug. Not even close. So Huntsman won’t get Utah’s vote in the primary–Romney will. And if Huntsman can’t get conservative Utah’s votes, why run? You can’t carry the state you run, how can you convince others?
Huntsman is perhaps okay on economic issues, but socially he is McCain redux. In fact, he supported McCain over anyone else, even when McCain was on the ropes.
As a guy who voted for Huntsman and now got some unpleasant surprises from him–I don’t think he could be reelected in Utah right now.
Vanceone on May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM
By the way, didn’t Cheney support gay marriage?
amerpundit on May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Remember when W. said he was most scared by Lierberman?
Yeah.
Proud Rino on May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM
There’s a new SpongeBob episode on right now?
Pasalubong on May 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Hahaha, well said. And I think I agree.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Yeah, libs love and respect those they think they can trounce.
ddrintn on May 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Huntsman went in with the Governator and one other western guv to support efforts to fight the global warming that hasn’t happened for the past decade and seems to have changed its mind and is opting for a Little Ice Age instead.
That right there puts him out of the running for me.
dicentra63 on May 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Let’s see… A highly qualified and successful Mormon executive/governor with a good balance of moderate / conservative and deep pockets couldn’t gain traction in 2008, how is this unknown going to be a blip on the screen if anyone credible runs for nomination..
phreshone on May 5, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Bingo!!
davek70 on May 5, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Zero name-ID so it must be #2.
hanzblinx on May 5, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Nah, they’re savaging Miss California for being a hypocrite on the “too hot for NBC” photo thread.
Oddly enough, I only saw one try to defend the Fearless Reader for trying to strong arm the Chrysler debt holders.
Y-not on May 5, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Haha very possible. And I’m not sure I’ve ever heard any Conservatives stand in opposition to Civil Unions. In fact, I think Huntsman’s CV position is in line with the vast vast majority of Republicans in office.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:30 PM
If you want to know Huntsmans chances:
Utah went pretty strong for Romney, who wasn’t our governor. Romney is STILL our favored son, as it were. Huntsman, the guy we elected as governor, would be crushed by someone out of state. Romney and Huckster at least took their own state primaries! Huntsman wouldn’t win here at all, I think.
Vanceone on May 5, 2009 at 5:30 PM
I won’t vote for him and I bet the base won’t either……
They, the power brokers, don’t—–get——it.
bperiwinkle on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Yep, the GOP base will get revved up to vote for Jon Huntsman alright!
jp on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
The man is the Governor of Utah, not California…how moderate can he be?
and a lot of people support civil unions rather than gay marriage.
I don’t think I know enough about this man to make a decision one way or the other.
And Reaganism was/is not that far right. I remember Reagan, and he was a very open man who was willing to compromise to get things done. He did not sacrifice his principles, but he was not an ideologue either.
Sometimes I think that people have romanticized Reagan just a little bit, made him different than he really was.
Terrye on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Exactly…and THAT’S what Obama, and his goons, are really afraid of.
I vote number 2.
capejasmine on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Unless or until the Dems (and their pals in the MSM) pull out all the stops to destroy Huntsman, I won’t believe they have any particular fear of him.
cruadin on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Huntsman has better hair than Romney. The the battle of the Mormons begin.
portlandon on May 5, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Yeah, like these idiots would ever come out and admit how much they fear Palin.
This is so obvious, and Republicans aren’t buying it.
doug1981 on May 5, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Thread win.
amerpundit on May 5, 2009 at 5:32 PM
bperiwinkle:
Maybe, but the people of Utah voted for him or he would not be Governor, so it seems real people have supported him otherwise he would not be where he is.
Terrye on May 5, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Democrats picked McCain in 2008, how is this surprising?
Angry Dumbo on May 5, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Who here, had never heard of Huntsman till this story broke? i.e. those of us outside of Utah
jp on May 5, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Jerk! Nobody disses a Mormon’s hair and lives to tell.
hanzblinx on May 5, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Plouffe needs to busy himself with his own party’s campaign: Killing DC Vouchers for poor minority children, adding TRILLIONS to our debt, crazy Air Force one flyover trips, teleprompters, and bowing to a saudi king, makes for interesting election tv spots….
Big Game Changer: The American people no longer trust the media…
TN Mom on May 5, 2009 at 5:33 PM
This is just MSM and democrats picking our candidate AGAIN
bperiwinkle on May 5, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Could it be that Plouffe actually fears Romney and figures boosting Huntsman’s cred hurts Romney the most? They do strike me as very similar in regards to their positions (Romney and Huntsman) although to be fair I know alot more about Mitt than I do Huntsman so perhaps they are not as similar as the seem at first glance. Just a thought.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Tell the Obama camp not to be nervous. The guy has no chance of being the Republican nominee for President.
Heck, we are trying to get rid of the RINOs, not have another one running for Prez again. Remember McCain?
Give us a break!
purgatory on May 5, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Great idea. I have a better one: Why not just run John McCain all over again?
youngO on May 5, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Hmmm this guys seems.. Fluffy!
upinak on May 5, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Or perhaps Plouffe wants us to conclude this so Obama will have an easy victory against Romney?? The possibilities are endless!! Plouffe you magnificent bastard!
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:36 PM
What are his views on government spending and the size of government? If he believes in a balanced budget how does he plan on having one?
Basically does he believe in fiscal restraint and a small government? If not he has no chance. None, zero.
patrick neid on May 5, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Huntsman received B’s in 2006 and 2008 in CATO’s governors report card.
As for the RINO thing. I hope Allah was just tweaking us. I think most Republicans, even social conservatives, are ok with civil unions.
Y-not on May 5, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I’m not really anti-mormon but the reason they have a bad rap is not just because of the FLDS. The mormons have an atrocious history. Nobody, I mean, NOBODY talks about their past. It is not pretty.
If you are interested, read this.
And then theres this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_massacre
Joe Caps on May 5, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I lived in Utah for years, and still keep an interest in the politics there.
Huntsman just won re-election in 2008. In a landslide, then again Utah has not elected a Democrat governor in over nearly 25 years, so it doesn’t say much. While still very popular among the general electorate in the state, he is not well liked at all among the GOP grassroots.
Quite liberal on immigration, gays, even supports Cap and Trade, etc, etc. One of the first to support McCain for president, he is bascially a clone of the McCain/Schwarzenegger brand of conservatism.
Nominating this guy for POTUS would spell electoral disaster. Of course, his mormon religion would guarantee a loss of the southern states, his overall liberalism would ensure another Dole/McCain type loss elsewhere.
No wonder why the Obama camp wants us to think they are “worried”…LOL
Norwegian on May 5, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Unbelievable. People better wake up and not let the left define the right when it comes to candidates for national office. Didn’t we just go through all of this with McCain?
BardMan on May 5, 2009 at 5:37 PM
My litmus test says number 2-I havent seen Jon Huntsman smeared by the MSM ,attacked by leftist groups, or accused of anything by the president.
canditaylor68 on May 5, 2009 at 5:38 PM
1857? I hate to break it to you, Joe, but America itself has done some atrocious crap since then. As have Christians.
amerpundit on May 5, 2009 at 5:38 PM
+1
PrincipledPilgrim on May 5, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Good stuff Norwegian. Sounds like option 2 it is.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Definitely true. Their hate always shines through. Follow the liberal hate and that will lead us to our candidate.
Zetterson on May 5, 2009 at 5:41 PM
They fear who they attack attack attack attack attack.
Wonder who that might be?
But this is a story for two years down the road.
Now, 2010 is the thing.
profitsbeard on May 5, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I say let him run. Why not? I think the outcome will be like Romney honestly. He doesn’t really impress me that much whatsoever.
The REAL question is what does Miss McCain and Frum think of him. Heh.
deidre on May 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Heh. Joe Caps, someone I’ve never seen before, jumps out of nowhere to smear Mormons.
Newflash, buddy. Under the Banner of Heaven is nothing more than a hack job. It’s the equivalent of asking Pelosi about the merits of Rush Limbaugh–think you’ll get a reasonable answer? I’m LDS, and I’m more than proud of my church’s history.
That said, Huntsman will not emerge, at least I hope not. He’s for global warming, cap and trade, etc. To be fair, he DID basically institute a flat tax for Utah. So he’s done some good things, but his policies on stuff that a President would have to deal with are atrocious.
Vanceone on May 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM
The Mormons I’ve known have all been great people — terrific work colleagues and great family-oriented folks.
The only knock that I’ve heard (that has any ring of truth to it) is that it can be difficult for non-Mormons to do business in towns that are predominantly Mormon. I have no direct experience to know if that’s true, but it wouldn’t surprise me because it’s consistent with what I’ve seen of human nature. When my folks were growing up there were the Polish neighborhoods and the Irish neighborhoods, just as there are ethnic neighborhoods today, and it was certainly natural for people to prefer do business with the folks they knew well, either through family ties or social ones, rather than with strangers.
In any event, if the worst “insult” someone can throw at someone is that they’re a Mormon that speaks volumes — about the person throwing the insult.
Y-not on May 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM
If the national GOP powers force another McCain/Dole on us and we predictably lose to the Worst.President.Ever. in 2012 I guarantee that the 3rd party rumblings that have already started will become a reality.
Call it suicide for the Conservative cause but we would rather stand up proudly with 1/3 of the country against the historical disgrace that is the Obama era than lose election after election according to some strategy of picking a candidate that woos moderate voters— which obviously does not work. Being the Democrat-lite party is not acceptable to most of us.
We can be a big tent party– all are welcome– but conservative values must be the foundation. Teach them why we are right…..not change our beliefs to make them feel better about us.
Why is it so hard to see the Reagan playbook and accept that it works. Freedom is product worth packaging for retail sale.
alecj on May 5, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Haha!!
Don’t believe it for a second.
You heard of “Brair Rabbit” right?
Yeah … “Throw me into that briar patch”.
If Obama fears anything – it’s a hard core right candidate with the wind at his back.
HondaV65 on May 5, 2009 at 5:44 PM
My goodness Allah. Listen to yourself… will ya’.
Griz on May 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Y-not: Yeah, it’s true that non-LDS people sometimes have a harder time. There’s reasons for it, though it’s certainly not encouraged. As you say, it’s a lot of the “closeted society” effect. But it’s also because of some cultural clashes. We LDS really are a peculiar people. And that’s a good thing in my book. Example: Smoking/drinking are socially not acceptable in the LDS culture. And that is a big hurdle for many business people. Small things like that.
That said, the LDS church is certainly business savvy. And they are pumping billions into the local economy, too. Funny–they can do so much better than the government. Amazing how that works, isn’t it?
Vanceone on May 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM
I don’t buy it.
CP on May 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM
here is an interview with him. He’s kind of blah if you ask me. It is good I suppose
deidre on May 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM
And if Huntsman gets elected, how is that a victory? He’ll be Bush III nanny statism + lefty social policy + Gerald Ford-style SCOTUS picks.
No thanks.
spmat on May 5, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Since when is Plouffe any good at anything? He didn’t run the Obama campaign, the media did. Obama could have sat in one place and done photo shoots for a year, and still would have beaten Hillary and McCain handily.
joe_doufu on May 5, 2009 at 5:48 PM
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