Posted by
Jarvis on Monday, May 18, 2009 12:13:59 PM
Being from the great state of Utah, I find it interesting to have John Huntsman appear on the latest addition of Obama appointees. John Huntsman has always been more "moderate," than the typical Utah Governor, but was very much loved here Using Reagans three legs of Conservatism, Jon Huntsman was definately 2 for 3 at being a Strong Conservative.
He was a fiscal conservative. The Budget was well balanced and he was very good at using budget surpluses to create tax cuts rather than new programs the would do little or nothing to support the Utah Economy. The goverment shyed away from debt financing and Governor Huntman
He was Definately for a strong millitay. I know from personal relations that he did treat the National Guard well and they had little to complain about his treatment of them. His positions are consistant with one who is for a Strong Defense. He already had a great Foriegn relations background as well serving as ambasador to Singapore under George H.Bush.
Socially John Huntsman has been wishy washy. When forced to answer he is very strict pro-lifer(probably due to his Mormon faith), but you will never see him at a pro-life rally. He will never encourage a debate about it and moves from the topic as soon as he can. Like Senator McCain, on whose national campain Huntman co-chaired, he is very strict believer on global warming/climate change issues and constantly fought with any attempt for nuclear power in Utah and did everything in his power to stop Energy Solutions from bringing in low level nuclear waste from Italy.
Governor Huntsman did support Utah ammendment to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, which also forbids in its verbage civil unions. That said he did recently come out as saying he was in favor of Civil Unions. There is also his controversial move of Supporting Vouchers for schools and did much to help it get passed, but when it was forced to a state wide vote, Huntman was MIA. The bill to create school vouchers was eventually voted down by the state.
Though it is fair to call him a moderate, he was still more conservative as a governor than liberal. It is rumored that he was months away from creating his own PAC and was open to the option of putting his name into the ring for 2012. Than why did he take this position?
Obviously the more foriegn relation experience he can get the easier it is to move into national politics. Despite he already had foriegn relation experience with singapore, China is a much bigger fish to fry and would definately go along way to promoting him. Maybe he noticed the recent pole done by a local newspaper in utah about which Mormon politician would be best to run for president and he lost to Mitt Romney. Maybe he doesn't see the Republican party being revitalized by 2012 enough to win.
Maybe he is just bi-partisan and wants to help the country. Or maybe Jon huntsman might be more liberal than we thought. Only time will tell.