Deseret News | Huntsman used political capital for good

Reader comments
John Florez: Huntsman used political capital for good

liberal larry | 6:51 a.m. May 25, 2009

Jon Huntsman Jr, has been an excellent governor. I've heard him speak at several Sundance openings and you could just tell that the national audiences were very impressed by this fine man. If we want to advance the liberal agenda it is imperative that republicans continue to ignore moderates like Huntsman, and maintain that right wing, Cheney, Limbaugh, Hannity, small tent party.

John | 9:21 a.m. May 25, 2009

In America today it is all about money.

Anonymous | 9:53 a.m. May 25, 2009

He had political capital and left it in the bank. He chose not to use it. Using political capital makes waves. Waves cause uncertainty which reduces poll numbers.

Comments continue below

Polls | 10:34 a.m. May 25, 2009

are carefully crafted questions designed to manipulate a candidates record that creates the desired results of the pollster and reflects the ignorance of the electorate.

Polls, trust them not. Politicians, trust them not more.

Anonymous | 5:18 p.m. May 25, 2009

Maybe this is part of a journey from the darkness of conservatism in to the light of liberalism.

What was the good? | 8:41 a.m. May 26, 2009

Please explain the good done by Huntsman. He said he backed school vouchers and then, at the crucial moment, did not stand behind them.

He began to rescind the sales tax, true enough,but then did not seem to have the resolve to speak up foe finishing the job.

He would not use or seem to support using the "rainy day fund" even when it was raining spitoons.

He betrayed his conservative supporters and supported the liberal agenda, even supporting so-called "civil unions" for homosexuals.

no personal ambition? | 10:30 a.m. May 26, 2009

John,

Good tribute to Huntsman. I must, however, address one line of the quote: "my proposals will not be influenced by personal ambition or political need."

Most of the last year or two, at least, many of his decisions seemed to be driven by his personal ambition to become either ambassador to China or the president. I think it's universally recognized that he was shooting for those two goals. It seems that his positions on civil unions and the environment, for example, were influenced by personal ambition.

Lew Jeppson | 11:53 a.m. May 26, 2009

Well said. As for civil unions, Huntsman understands the issue of gay marriage is inseparably connected to civil rights. This isn't going away, and Huntsman knows it and wasn't afraid to inform his fellow Utahns of it.

Deb Henry | 2:46 p.m. May 26, 2009

Good Tribute. He will be sorely missed as our Governor. I'm glad he was able to bring the community here together as evidenced by his 84% approval rating. I disagree with someone who was afraid to use their name, that he was doing any of this for personal ambition: He was speaking out on what is best for the country and the world; equal rights and a sustainable environment for all. If anyone wants to rescind the sales tax, then the state needs to stop glorifying equity nightmares like highways that are paid for with that sales tax. Once a market value user cost is instituted in the form of a gas tax, we'll see how many people really want to use those highways. Look at the nightmare CA has without a buffer such as a rainy day fund. Spending our rainy day fund would have been irresponsible, and I am proud of him for taking the high road.

Cougar Blue | 12:01 p.m. May 27, 2009

The guv was starting to show that he had more savy than anyone else on the hill. He will be missed.

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