Coming up Wednesday
Amb. Huntsman: 'I think we're going to have a breakthrough' in fiscal cliff negotiations
From the fiscal cliff negotiations to the controversy over UN Ambassador Susan Rice's potential Secretary of State nomination, it appears that the partisan gridlock on the Hill that frustrated Americans before the election has endured.
Former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman joins the Starting Point team this morning to weigh in on these various points of contention and to explain how he thinks the Republican Party should proceed following their election defeat.
"I think we have some structural issues. If at the end of this conversation we don't end up with a one sentence mission statement, we're toast," Huntsman says. "That one statement ought to be 'balance the budget and get out of people's lives.'"
The former GOP presidential candidate also draws attention to the unwillingness of many Republicans to run for presidential office.
"Where are the people that really bring something to the table that ought to be stepping up and running for office?" Huntsman asks. "Nobody anymore is willing to step in the arena and it's left to people who do it in part because it's a way to make money perhaps, there's a little entertainment value, or there may not be much else to do."
Regarding the contentious fiscal cliff negotiations, Amb. Huntsman says that he's confident a deal will be reached before the December 31st deadline.
"It always [gets ugly] right before a breakthrough. I’m an optimist – I think we’re going to have a breakthrough because the stakes are so high," Huntsman says. "I’m guessing most members of Congress are going to have a moment of clarity over the next few weeks."
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I too am an optomist; However I will lay big odds that any agreement will screw 90% of our people and leave banking, wall street and big corporations with a liscens to steal.
Our big banks with trillions in assets have been getting billions in 0% loans. These pigs are driving up the price of oil and other commodities by manipulating the commodities market. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanly and on other own 80% of the oil trades. The cause more damae than all terrorist combined. Also, many have paid banks 600k for a 200k house when the tax ayer backs the loan. All government guarantted loans skould be made directly for a small interest. This would , in the long rub, leave trillions in the hands of our people instad of with thieving banks.
Our public owned corporations should be forced to pay our minium wage werever they go. This would show a little respect for workers and bring back many jobs. Instead we give special treaties and tax breaks for those that outsource for slave labor. When the CEO of Disney made 600 million in salary and God knows what in bonuses, he had children working in Haiti for 12 cents and hour. This is the cold blooded evil that will destroy America if we dont force real change.
Th capital gains tax where most giant money is made is only 15%. This should be doubled immediately! It has been obvious for some time that a corrupt to the bone corporate and finincial system owns most of our government. We will force real change or this insane greed will soon have us in depression and chaos.
John Huntsman sounding logical and sane per usual. I bet the dems are happy that the GOPers were too stupid to nominate Huntsman and picked one of the weak candidates, Mitt, instead. Huntsman could have beat Obama, but can he beat Hillary in 2016? I feel sorry for the guy, he thinks the GOP will reform more moderately. This is why he won't make it out of the primary and the GOP will predictably bluster another general election. It would be an interesting move if Obama abandoned Susan Rice as politically toxic and put in Huntsman, possibly flipping him to blue just incase Hillary really isn't runnng in 2016.
JON HUNTSMAN is very smart republican , I do like him a lot. Even though I am democrat , I could pick him if he was a choice in this election. But it was too bad that the right wings did not like him. President Obama was so lucky in this election that GOP presidential was Mitt Romney .
Too bad this quality gentleman did not catch on in the primaries. Maybe next time.
If the GOP is to survive as a relevant party it needs to figure out a way to purge itself of its right-wing wackos. If the GOP has a future it will be we people like Huntsman.
Repubs. you really messed up not nominating Huntsman.
Leave it up to the present day Repub Party members to toast themselves. John and Mitch can be counted on for that.
GOP need not be tired. The only thing GOP can do is to agree or disagree. Besides, I believe that GOP always has many ideas and never stop doing their jobs on the right track.
Gaggle of idiots
"The former GOP presidential candidate also draws attention to the unwillingness of many Republicans to run for presidential office." The reason for this is pretty clear. The right-wing has taken over the Republican primaries. Responsible conservatives (like Huntsman) can't win. You've got to say nutty right-wing things to win. Which Romney did. But then you can't win a general election. The few "responsible" Republicans left are in a tight spot.
I would of voted for huntsman, I feel he is a good, good man and he is very bright. His country come first before his party.
Huntsman is a genuinely nice guy. I loved having him as a governor here in Utah, even though I'm atheist. He really does care about both sides of the aisle. Too bad Romney got the nomination and Huntsman didn't. I actually would have voted for Huntsman if he got the Republican nomination even though I vote mostly Democrat. Sorry Obama. I'd pick him over Kerry as Sec. of State too.
It's always good to have an optimist in politics. I'm tired of hearing about arguments and pessimists in politics.
I am a democrat but will cross a line and vote if I see a candidate like Huntsman in 2016.
Huntsman seems like one of the only Republicans who makes sense to me.
Listen to this man carefully GOP. You have followed false prophets for too long. Someone once wiser warned you about what we are experiencing today many years ago and you didn't listen him either:
"When you say 'radical right' today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye."..."If they succeed in establishing religion as a basic Republican Party tenet, they could do us in."
and...
"We Republicans seek a government that attends to its inherent responsibilities of maintaining a stable monetary and fiscal climate, encouraging a free and a competitive economy..."
and finally
"And beyond that, we see, in cherished diversity of ways, diversity of thoughts, of motives and accomplishments. We do not seek to lead anyone's life for him."
–Barry Goldwater (1994 US News and World Report, 1964 Acceptance Speech)