Other friends and former aides, however, suggested that the 2016 conversations were primarily a function of Huntsman’s willingness to hear out his supporters — not his interest in the race. Fundraising would be a massive obstacle, one his campaign struggled with mightily in 2012. And securing a place on a nationwide ballot is difficult — and expensive — for any independent candidate.

“People are way out over their skis,” said Steven Bogden, the policy director for Huntsman’s political action committee, Red Rock PAC, which was founded last May to help test the waters for a national run but has since gone dormant.

“Just because Huntsman loves Captain Beefheart doesn’t mean he’s taking psychedelics,” Bogden said.