Jon Huntsman Positions Himself As 2012's 'Cool' Candidate, Defends Obama Administration Role

[jefferson_dem]

Jon Huntsman Positions Himself As 2012's 'Cool' Candidate, Defends Obama Administration Role

ABC News' Amy Walter (@amyewalter) reports:

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- In a graduation speech Saturday morning at the University of South Carolina, former U.S. Ambassador to China and potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman tried his best to look like a cool, young dad instead of a traditional politician.

He kicked off his remarks to the 1,150 graduates by thanking the university's president, Dr. Harris Pastides, for an introduction that "made me sound pretty cool."

Huntsman then went on to recount his time as a young man playing in the rock band "Wizard" noting that he once had Rod Stewart-like hair and "I wouldn't wear anything but super skinny jeans."

He ended his remarks with a reference to Ben Folds, a musician who was popular when most of the graduates were in diapers. He ended his speech by telling the soon to be grads "never forget to rock and roll."

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http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/05/jon-huntsman-south-carolina-speech-defends-ambassador-role.html

[emulatorloo]

1. Why no Keisha references? Or a dramatic reading of Katy's "Firework" lyrics? For

I am very disappointed.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Yeah, Jon, coming from fellow Utahn...you're trying to hard...

[warrior1]

3. dude hasn't got a chance.

[Vicar In A Tutu]

4. Indeed.

He would have a good shot in 2016 as someone coming in to replace a popular outgoing President ( which Obama almost certainly will be if he wins next year - the economy will only keep getting better, I suspect). As it is, his support of civil unions, of caution against climate change and his gushing notes to Obama, he stands no chance in a GOP where crazy is still prominent. 2016 may well be the time when a moderate candidate to reposition the party is just the ticket for them.

Trying to look cool would be nothing but a disaster - he's the son of a billionaire. He'd just look like a fake, a doofus, but not one shameful or idiotic enough to capture the GOP Krazy Kontingent. No, no - Just enough to become a laughing stock to a huge number of young voters.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I'm sorry, you're either cool or you're not. Most folks are born with it.

I think it's one of those things you just can't fake for long. Kids won't buy it, and for those of us who aren't kids anymore, we think it's just sad. :(

[AlinPA]

6. He can't make it with the republican base. With a degree from an Ivy League school,

(one o' them innalechool mormon Chinese speakin' eleetists), so far hasn't been a birther and not known for bible thumping and cozying up with Hagee, Robertson, Parsley and that crowd. He worked with the President as an ambassador to China! He would have to do a lot of repair work with the teabaggers and fundamentalists.

[Sheepshank]

7. I see him make an effort to start getting his name out. 2012...if it means making a run,..so be it

But will have a better chance 2016 when the Tea party extremists have burned off and spent all their fuel. Huntsman is w-a-y too centrist for the current Tea party toting GOP.

[Suji to Seoul]

8. Ben Folds Five, huh? Been listening to "Brick" too much there, have you Jonny Cake?

I hate it when the GOP tries to connect with the younger set these date (a group I am sadly becoming more and more distant to at the age of 32).

Rod Stewart too. . .the last hit he had was "Forever Young" back when most of these graduates were watching Barney.

"Never forget to rock and roll." Okay, gramps. I will do so. Wow, this hit the world like the pop of a wet firecracker.

One logical question though, Jon-Boy. . .how can you survive a primary in a party where they can hit you with this every time you open your mouth: "If you dislike Obama's policies so much, why did you work for him and be his mouthpiece in China, you RINO!"

Enjoy oblivion, Jonny!

[Monk06]

9. To be cool you have to be cool NOW !!! Par example ........

[Arkana]

10. Jon, buddy, here's a nickel's worth of free advice.

This is how Mitt Romney started.

That is all.

[center rising]

11. I wish more Republicans were like Huntsman

He hasn't got a prayer, but I like him.

[Arkana]

12. If they were, we'd get shit done and have an honest debate in this country.

[jenmito]

13. He will not win by trying to "out cool" the coolest president EVER. n/t

[burning rain]

14. No way he'll get nominated in 2012.

The Republicans are a royalist party and Huntsman is nowhere near next in line. Cenk Uygur suggested Huntsman was just trying to make a decent showing in the 2012 primaries to set himself up for 2016. That could be.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

15. Almost Famous

Lester Bangs to William Miller

"I met you, you are not cool."

[dionysus]

16. there's nothing cooler than a grey haired, middle aged white guy.