I was very sorry to see Jon Huntsman’s somewhat abrupt–though inevitable–departure from the GOP presidential race.
There is no question that Mr. Huntsman is by far the most qualified candidate in the race. His politics are moderate, and his intellect is obvious to those who have listened to him in the (seemingly endless) series of debates. He was well-liked and productive as Governor of Utah, and meanwhile he represented the interests of the United States as Ambassador to China in exemplary fashion. Most impressively, he served under a Democratic president without regard to the political risks to his own presidential aspirations.
Pro-environment, pro-reasonable regulation of the activities of large financial institutions, pro-civil unions, and pro-flatter taxes, Huntsman’s brand of politics seems to have found the nation’s political pulse at the moment.
More importantly, though: he offers a way forward for a Republican Party that seems hell-bent on turning back the clock on the progressive social change that we’ve fought so hard to achieve over the last several decades. The GOP would be wise to embrace Huntsman-like candidates in the future, or risk becoming entirely irrelevant in the 21st century.
Rainbow Gefilte Fish 
Leave a comment