Huntsman quits GOP race
By KASIE HUNT 1/17/2012
Way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, huh? Monday, Jan. 16th, Jon Huntsman withdrew his candidacy for the GOP presidential race. Afterwards, he decided to endorsed Mitt Romney, saying that he is the man "best equipped to defeat Barack Obama."The former Utah governor left a message to the remaining candidates. He believes that the remaining contenders should stop attacking each other in TV commercials. "At its core, the Republican Party is a party of ideas, but the current toxic form of our political discourse does not help our cause."
Huntsman has always had a huge disadvantage. His decision to withdraw probably became finalized when he realized that his name would not appear on the South Carolina ballots. In addition, he lacked the money to pay for TV commercials or other essentials of a modern campaign. While Romney and other candidates were drawing media attention, Huntsman was half way around the world serving as ambassador to China until late April. Huntsman entered because he believed that he had many formal qualifications being: a businessman, a diplomat, a governor, a veteran of four presidential administrations, and an expert on China and foreign trade. However, I guess they weren't good enough.
Now pressure arises for Rick Perry to also drop out in order to allow South Carolina's influential social conservatives a better chance at winning - Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich. Santorum worked over the weekend to consolidate conservative support. "I think it's important that we eventually consolidate this race." He stopped short of urging Perry to quit the race.
This affects public policies, though it may not be drastic. Many of Huntsman's supporters, seeing that he has endorsed Romney, will also follow their him and support Romney too. Knowing this, Romney seems to have a huge advantage and support over the others. Do the others even stand a chance now?
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