Huntsman building big NH team, changing tone

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HUNTSMAN_NEW_HAMPSHIRE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-07-26-14-54-19

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman wants to go head to head with Mitt Romney in the former Massachusetts governor's own backyard.

With a laser focus on New Hampshire, President Barack Obama's former ambassador to China is quietly assembling what may end up being the largest paid GOP primary effort in the state's history. He's also taking a sharper tone as he fights to overcome a staff shakeup and low popularity among the relatively few Republican voters who know him.

"I'm running on my record," Huntsman told a Dartmouth College audience Tuesday. "A lot of people run from their record."

The comment was a subtle jab at Romney, whose job-creation record as governor is coming under scrutiny as he leads some early polls. Huntsman also criticized his former boss, Obama.

[madrchsod]

1. huntsman is going to be trouble for obama.....

[AlinPA]

2. Maybe in speeches that the media will cover, but he is not crazy enough for republicans. nt

[Abq_Sarah]

3. If he gets the nomination

And that doesn't seem likely....

[Marr]

6. I agree. If he has to run against another moderate Republican,

Obama will have a very hard time. Huntsman wouldn't have any bigger problem with the Republican base than Obama will have with his own party's traditional base. It'd essentially be a fight for the fabled "independents", and in a down economy, that won't be an easy fight.

[Marr]

4. mispost

[WCGreen]

5. Battling Mormans!!!!

Superunderoos