Huntsman had the best answer at the end of the debate about the biggest threat

[quinnox]

to our national security. All the other candidates talked about foreign enemies, or weapons of mass destruction attacks, but Huntsman said our biggest threat is the joblessness and basically the crumbling state of our country here at home.

Thank you John Hunstman for that answer, I completely agree. Its long past time to right our ship and stop worrying about controlling the entire world, we have enough problems here on our plate to handle.

[MedleyMisty]

1. Huntsman is a sane Republican

Apparently they do still exist.

Of course, that means there's no way in hell he'll get the nomination.

[Angry Dragon]

4. +2970

[ehrnst]

12. Yep - he would not sign Santorum's anti-abortion 'pledge'

Not that he's pro-choice, but I like his response to Santorum - "Pledges are for people who don't have a record."

The only reason that the GOP won't take Huntsman seriously is that he won't even try to throw the base red meat.

The base of the base won't even listen to what he says once they learn he was an ambassador under Obama.

[GoCubsGo]

16. No, he's nuts, too.

Only to a much lesser extent than the rest.

[Dawson Leery]

2. Jon Hunstman is a Pre-Reagan Republican.

You can expect sanity and reason from many of them, though they are a true rarity now.

[provis99]

3. yeah, he seems like one of the old Rockefeller Republicans.

But they're nearly extinct, which makes me confused as to why Huntsman is bothering to run for President.

[Angry Dragon]

5. Perhaps he has a soul unlike the rest of them and he feels he could

help this country

[jberryhill]

6. His soul and his brain should sit down for a chat sometime.

[Angry Dragon]

7. I am unaware of something stupid he has said

[jberryhill]

9. Who said anything about what he said?

Good intentions don't make futility any more of a valuable way to spend time.

He could, for example, learn to play the ukelele. After a few months, he still won't be the GOP nominee, but he would be good at playing the ukelele, in addition to his other positive attributes.

I just hate to see a good man waste time.

[Angry Dragon]

10. Many would say that OWS is an act of futility

does that mean they should not do it??

[jberryhill]

13. Well, let's see....

OWS is attempting to have mass demonstrations, and is being successful at it.

Mr. Huntsman is ostensibly attempting to become the GOP nomineee, and has about the same chance as a jar of fingernail clippings.

I admire the guy. I really do. I am certain I do not agree with a lot of his politics, but he obviously served capably in an important position, and is intelligent and knowledgeable. I would much prefer that we had presidential elections among candidates who could reasonably and respectfully differ on issues, instead of a demonization contest.

It's just sad to see him trying to make a dent in that field of loons and weirdos.

[provis99]

20. OWS has accomplished precisely zero, except getting brutalized.

Name a single piece of legislation that came about because of OWS activities.

[jberryhill]

23. That's too narrow a focus

Mass expressions of concern about a set of issues impacts the national discourse, which in turn impacts the agenda.

That is not always a tight coupling.

But it's not as if Huntsman is having any discernible impact on what passes for rationality among the broader GOP field or its electorate.

However, the question I was addressing was the relative effectiveness between Huntsman and OWS, and not some absolute measure of either of them.

I believe OWS has raised consciousness among the broader population of inequities in the economy, whereas I don't believe that Huntsman has made climate change denial any less of a dogma in the GOP.

One could compare Huntsman's influence on the perception of science in the GOP to, say Ron Paul on civil liberties. Huntsman is ignored. Paul, on the other hand, does strike a chord by appealing to "small government" by reminding Republicans that "small government" is also not a police state which violates fourth, fifth, and sixth amendment principles. Now, granted, Paul is right crackers on a host of things, and takes his ideology too far than is practical, but in relative terms, he does effectively confront certain fascist tendencies over on that side of things in terms they relate to.

[RZM]

11. Funny you should mention that

Huntsman actually dropped out of college to pursue his dreams of being a rock musician. The band was called 'Wizard.'

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/12/141276651/before-politics-huntsman-aspired-to-rock-star-fame

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. If the Republican party has any brains at the top.....

and really wants to win the White House, they will put up Huntsman.

I will vote for Obama, cause I happen to like the guy, but If I was a Republican, I would vote for Huntsman.

But then....I like to THINK.

So...Huntsman is screwed.

[Erose999]

14. Romney/Huntsman 2012: Team Temple Garment

[bluethruandthru]

15. Huntsman has spouted a few tea party-isms in the recent past but

he does have a brain. I think he felt he had to try and suck up to the far right in order to make any headway. But, since that really hasn't worked, he should probably consider just saying what he really believes (novel concept!) instead of trying to placate the nutjobs. For a repub...he's not THAT bad.

[Brother Buzz]

18. Then he moved the goal post with a few interesting Twitters

@JonHuntsman Jon Huntsman
To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.

@JonHuntsman Jon Huntsman
I wonder if a tweet where I admit how much I like Captain Beefheart will make the followers skyrocket even more!

[Scuba]

17. Be careful. If he somehow emerges as the front-runner, he could ...

... knock off a BHO who has disaffected many of his supporters.

[jberryhill]

24. Yes, but....

Let's put it this way.

If, say, Bachmann gets the GOP nomination, and through some dramatic turn of events wins the presidency, we are doomed.

If Huntsman does, then we are severely irritated for four years. I mean, good golly we barely survived 8 years of W. Four of Huntsman would be like a stroll in the park by comparison.

It is in our national best interest that the GOP nominate their sanest and best qualified. I understand the appeal of hoping they nominate a repellant nut job who will certainly lose to Obama. But, really, if there is a non-zero chance of them winning, then I don't want the bottom of their extremely deep barrel.

[Kingofalldems]

19. Unfortunately he would have to bring the insane repubs

into the government if he wins. So really he is just as bad as the others when you get down to it.

[Bryn]

21. I think the reason he polls so low is because

many conservatives consider him too liberal. He's a smart guy, though.

[dimbear]

22. Far right feels he talks down to them. He does. Hell, we all do. n/t

[WCGreen]

25. If you look at it one step further....

The whole military expansion is to protect the investments made by the 1% so we, the 99%, are securing the relatively free flow of goods and services to enhance the fortunes of the 1%.