Jon Huntsman 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate

Born in 1960, Jon Huntsman, Jr., is the current U. S. Ambassador to China.  In the 80s, he learned to speak both Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien fluently while living in Taiwan for a couple of years and spending time there as a Mormon missionary.  He later worked as a Staff Assistant for the Reagan Administration and Ambassador to Singapore and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce during President George Bush’s reign.  Later, as the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative inside George W. Bush’s Administration, he negotiated dozens of free trade and investment framework agreements and brokered both bi- and multi-lateral trade agreements for our country with several other nations.  In 2001, Huntsman also played an important role in launching global trade negotiations in Qatar and organizing the simultaneous accession of Taiwan and China into the World Trade Organization.

He was elected Governor of Utah in 2004, seizing 57% of the vote, and later won re-election in 2008 with 80% of the vote.  He oversaw large tax cuts and advocated reorganizing the way that services are distributed in hopes that the state government does not become overwhelmed by its fast growing population.  Huntsman continually worked on trying to increase his state’s economic competitiveness and maximizing funding to its public education system.  He thought it was important to expand health-care through the private sector with negotiations to keep prices lower and tax breaks.  He also tended to walk a conservative line on abortion, gun control, and gay marriage topics.  During his terms, Utah was often recognized by several prestigious organizations for dynamism, quality of life, and business climate and was named the Best Managed State in America.  Then in 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Governor Huntsman to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to China, noting his Mandarin proficiency and experience in the region.  After a unanimous Senate confirmation, Huntsman resigned as Governor and was then sworn in as our Ambassador to China.

Viewed by many as a moderate Republican, he made John McCain’s vice president shortlist in 2008 and many political experts felt Huntsman would be a 2012 Republican nominee.   However, since going across the Pacific to serve as our Ambassador, his media profile here in the U.S. has significantly dropped.  He is now instead a popular press item in China through both his personal and professional connections.  Developed over a lifetime of interest and involvement, he displays a breadth of experience in Asia.  Extremely committed to serving in this critical post and devoted to one of our country’s most important international relationships, Huntsman often includes Mandarin in his speeches and appears to relish his return to diplomacy.  Recently, Huntsman’s previous advisor said he might consider another campaign when returning to the U.S. but that it is not likely to happen in 2012 stating, “He’s pretty happy being the Ambassador right now.”  So for now, many believe Huntsman may wait until the 2016 cycle to run for the White House.

Vote for Jon Huntsman in the 2012 Presidential Poll vs Obama!

http://2012obama.com/presidential-polls/jon-huntsman-vs-obama-in-2012-presidential-election/

Mark Sanford vs Obama in 2012 Presidential Election?

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Sanford professes to be a firm supporter of limited government, and many pundits have described his views as being libertarian in nature. Most recently, he has embarked on an ambitious plan to reform methods of funding the state’s public education system. This would include measures such as school vouchers – aimed at introducing more competition into the school system as a means of fostering improvement. This would also allow more choice for parents who wish for their children to be educated in a religious or independent setting easier access at doing so. The plan, known as “Put Parents In Charge,” would provide around $2,500 per child to parents who chose to withdraw their children from the state’s public school system and instead send them to religious and other independent schools. Sanford has framed this plan as a necessary market based reform.

Could he challenge Obama in 2012? His ideas should, but does he have the mainstream support. If his friend Ron Paul throws his support to him he could be good!