Huntsman hits N.H., test for new campaign
Huntsman stops in Exeter, N.H.
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman visited Exeter, N.H., today after formally kicking off his campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Video by Glen Johnson/Globe Staff
EXETER, N.H.– Hours after former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. announced his run for the presidency today in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, he traveled to the first-in-the-nation primary state – which will also be the first major test of his candidacy.
Channeling Reagan-like optimism, Huntsman told supporters in both New Jersey and New Hampshire, “For the first time in history, we are passing down to the next generation a country that is less powerful, less compassionate, less competitive, and less confident than the one we got,’’ Huntsman said. “This is totally unacceptable and it is totally un-American.’’
The former ambassador to China for President Obama continued: “We have the power, we have the means, we have the character to astonish the world again by making from adversity a new and better country; this inexhaustible land of promise and opportunity.’’
Huntsman has decided not to compete in the Iowa caucuses, and the road through New Hampshire will not be easy for him. He is entering a wide-open Republican field, in which he will likely woo moderate voters – those who until now have focused much of their attention on former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
He has little name recognition – recent polling by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found he would get about 3 percent of the vote – and has already faced criticism from members of his own party and Democrats.
Democrats have tried to portray him as inconsistent on issues, in part because he has stopped supporting a tough plan for reducing global warming, while Republicans worry about his service to President Obama.
“His biggest problem was his fawning comments about President Obama,’’ said former Republican New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu. “It appears to me that the only reason he took the appointment with Obama was he liked the president, believes in his philosophy and principles, and supports Obama. Coincidentally, it seemed like a useful step on the road to the presidential candidacy.’’
Dean Spiliotes, an independent political analyst in New Hampshire not affiliated with any presidential candidate, said he does not believe Huntsman will appeal to the more right-wing segment of the state’s Republican Party.
“The question is what does he need to do to be seen as a plausible alternative to Mitt Romney,’’ Spiliotes said. “He wants to be an interesting, fresher alternative to Romney.’’
One hint of how Huntsman will compete with Romney came during a recent interview with The New York Times, in which he said the campaign would be about both the “economy’’ and “authenticity.’’
Romney has faced criticism in the 2008 presidential campaign and this year’s for taking positions more conservative than those he espoused running for office in Massachusetts.
In addition to serving in China for Obama, Huntsman, 51, was US ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush. He is a businessman whose family owns the Huntsman Corp. chemical company.
His in-and-out, announcement-day visit to New Hampshire was his fourth sojourn in the Granite State since returning from China in April.
Somewhere between New Jersey and New Hampshire, Huntsman changed from a dark suit into a black-and-white checkered shirt, rolled-up at the sleeves. He was greeted by a couple hundred people in a packed town hall, many wearing stickers with his new logo – a red “H’’ on a black background over the words “Jon Huntsman President 2012.’’
In his speech, Huntsman warned of the danger of a growing national debt and stressed the importance of creating a new industrial revolution.
“We must reignite the powerful job-creating engine of our economy – the industry, innovation, reliability, and trailblazing genius of Americans and their enterprises – and restore confidence in our people,’’ he said.
He touted his record as governor of Utah cutting taxes and balancing the budget.
Advisers say Huntsman’s campaign will focus on job creation, reducing debt by cutting spending, and foreign policy. Asked about his job policy at the town hall, Huntsman said he will focus on reforming taxes and regulations, and promoting energy independence.
On foreign policy, Huntsman has expressed support for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan quickly and has criticized President Obama for intervening in Libya.
While he did not mention either conflict by name yesterday, he acknowledged that the country is at war and said, “We must manage the end of these conflicts without repeating past mistakes that made our engagement longer and our sacrifices greater than they should have been.’’
Huntsman has developed a strong New Hampshire team, including Paul Collins, who directed the Senate campaign of New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu and has worked for the state Republican Party; Merrimack County Commissioner Peter Spaulding, who chaired John McCain’s 2000 New Hampshire campaign; and former commissioner of employment security Richard Brothers.
But while other candidates have been campaigning for months, Huntsman has little name recognition.
“He will have to spend a lot of time here to pick up the pace,’’ said New Hampshire Republican party Chairman Jack Kimball.
In Exeter, many attendees knew little about Huntsman.
“This is New Hampshire. We have to meet all of them, preferably at this distance,’’ said Frank Graham, 83, of Exeter, standing face-to-face with a reporter.
Some, like Exeter homemaker Carol Powell, liked what they heard.
“I’m so excited by someone who has faith, believes in his country, his enthusiasm, his age,’’ Powell said. “We can have him around for awhile.’’
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