From the Tuesday Morning Jolt:
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The Huntsman, for Red November
Last Friday, on Campaign Spot, I shared a bit from one of my regulars, a bit of disbelief that Jon Huntsman was being mentioned as a potential presidential candidate while he was serving as U.S. Ambassador to China: “Think about it: Our most difficult diplomatic relationship is with China, with whom we are waging a full fledged currency war, and who we are counting on to prevent a full fledged shooting war in Korea… This is grossly irresponsible on Huntsman’s part. Either he should have nipped this in the bud two months ago, or he should have resigned. I can’t think of a single historical parallel for the game Huntsman is playing. If he were Ambassador to Bermuda it would be one thing. But China?”
I’d like to say Campaign Spot gets results, but… not even my ego thinks that I managed to get Huntsman to make a decision. Nonetheless, the decision appears to be here: “The United States ambassador to China, Jon M. Huntsman Jr., delivered a letter of resignation on Monday to President Obama and intends to leave his position on April 30, a White House official said, clearing the way for him to explore a potential 2012 Republican presidential bid. Mr. Huntsman, a former Republican governor of Utah, was nominated nearly two years ago by President Obama to serve as the top American envoy to China. He has not decided whether to move forward with a candidacy, associates said, but he has had several conversations with a circle of political advisers who are waiting in the wings if he decides to run.”
At Hot Air, Allahpundit scoffs at a predictable complaint from Obama’s backers: ““Betrayal”? One of the reasons they made him ambassador was to take him out of the field for 2012. They tried to use him, and instead he used them to burnish his foreign policy cred. Turnabout, fair play, etc.”
Doug Ross thinks we shouldn’t grow too attached to him: “Let me make this short and sweet: I’ve got a better shot at the GOP Presidential nomination than Jon Huntsman.”
Doug Brady at Conservatives4Palin thinks this is good news for his preferred candidate and bad news for Mitt Romney: “I certainly hope he does, as a Huntsman candidacy will further split the squishy moderate vote that’s crucial for the Mittens if he is to have any chance at the Republican nomination in 2012. Look for a lot of establishment love for Huntsman during the next several days as he effectively becomes their latest ‘Mitch Daniels.’”