Huntsman drops out, backs Romney

[This is The End]

Huntsman to drop out, endorse Romney

The former Utah governor's decision comes on the eve of a round of debates and primary voting in South Carolina and Florida, in which his longtime rival is poised to lock up the Republican nomination.

I liked Huntsman.

semi-joking: Only bad people are left!

Here's a "related" but very poignant article (read it, it's short!):

Romney and Huntsman [and Obama]

 

[This is The End]

I didn't see a thread before posting this, but now I found it was already posted in the general Presidential Primaries 2012

I'm not sure if that thread is supposed to be all-encompassing or if we can discuss it separately here, but at least people can read that pithy editorial (2nd link in the OP).

 

[timhau]

Now, all loony conspiracists together:

"The Mormons are coming! THE MORMONS ARE COMING!"

 

[hgc]

I didn't see a thread before posting this, but now I found it was already posted in the general Presidential Primaries 2012

I'm not sure if that thread is supposed to be all-encompassing or if we can discuss it separately here, but at least people can read that pithy editorial (2nd link in the OP).

The other thread is a sort of gazette of updates to the state of the primaries. It's good to have individual threads to delve into these topics in more detail.

 

[Cleon]

This came right after Huntsman scored a major endorsement in SC; I can't help but wonder if Romney didn't offer him something. Probably not VP, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered something in Mitt's cabinet.

 

[elbe]

This came right after Huntsman scored a major endorsement in SC; I can't help but wonder if Romney didn't offer him something. Probably not VP, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered something in Mitt's cabinet.

Gut reaction: Secretary of State.

Longer reaction: How much does Romney really need to promise anything to Huntsman? That's not a particularly strong endorsement based on his popularity.
I'm almost inclined to believe that it was a strategic play by Huntsman to strengthen the more moderate candidate and not risk letting splintering of the moderate R's to allow a more extreme candidate to sneak the win.

 

[tyr_13]

Secretary of State would be a good spot for him.

 

[hgc]

This came right after Huntsman scored a major endorsement in SC; I can't help but wonder if Romney didn't offer him something. Probably not VP, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered something in Mitt's cabinet.

It wouldn't bother me, but I seriously doubt that Romney would choose another Mormon for the ticket.

 

[elbe]

He could carry the all important Chinese-American vote!

 

[Spindrift]

Gut reaction: Secretary of State.

Longer reaction: How much does Romney really need to promise anything to Huntsman? That's not a particularly strong endorsement based on his popularity.
I'm almost inclined to believe that it was a strategic play by Huntsman to strengthen the more moderate candidate and not risk letting splintering of the moderate R's to allow a more extreme candidate to sneak the win.

Secretary of State would be a good spot for him.

Romney doesn't need Huntsman's endorsement so I think the quid pro quo is a lot less than Secretary of State. Huntsman has no where near the influence someone like Hilary has, so Huntsman may have been promised something, but I doubt it was Secretary of State.

 

[Bri]

From the same source that the OP cited: a recap of criticisms of Romney by Huntsman (before endorsing him):

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsoutofcontext/53307848-64/huntsman-romney-governor-think.html.csp

-Bri

 

[tyr_13]

Romney doesn't need Huntsman's endorsement so I think the quid pro quo is a lot less than Secretary of State. Huntsman has no where near the influence someone like Hilary has, so Huntsman may have been promised something, but I doubt it was Secretary of State.

But Huntsman is eminently qualified for the spot and would probably do a great job. It could be something as simple as Huntsman knowing he can't get the nom or do any better than he currently is throwing his support behind the candidate he finds best among the other ones simply to avoid someone like Paul getting the nom.

I'm not saying he traded running for SoS, but that he's be a great pick for SoS.

 

[Almo]

Bummer. Huntsman made the most sense of any of them. I guess that's why he didn't resonate with the GOP at large. They seem attached to the firebrands at the moment.

 

[leftysergeant]

Huntsman does not throw a significant number of supporters to Romney. He made too much sense to appeal to most of the party activists.

The only up side to his departure is that none of his backers are likely to go to the remaining crazies. His departure does not benefit RP or Santorum as much as the departure of Perry or Bachmann. Nor, sadly, does it really help Romney as much as it otherwise might, were the race not so driven by the crazies.

Gingrich might get just a little bit of a bump, but I doubt that he was going anywhere any way. At least he will draw off some of the Catholic vote from Santorum.

 

[Kopji]

Maybe Obama promised him something.

 

[ZirconBlue]

Probably not VP, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered something in Mitt's cabinet.

Like a new pair of magic underwear?

 

[Spindrift]

I'll bet Romney hopes Santorum never drops out and endorses him. I can see the headline:
"Romney Backed Up by Santorum."

 

[MaGZ]

This came right after Huntsman scored a major endorsement in SC; I can't help but wonder if Romney didn't offer him something. Probably not VP, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered something in Mitt's cabinet.

Unlikely, they are very much in disagreement on how to deal with China.

 

[thaiboxerken]

Huntsman flip-flops to support a flip-fopper.....too funny