John Huntsman

[_beastie]

I know there is no way that John Huntsman could ever have won the primary, but let's play make-believe. If he had, could he have won the election?

I think he actually would have at least had a chance.

[_honorentheos]

I think he would have had more than a chance once the race moved away from the primary voter demographic and towards the broader electorate.

I'd like to think so, anyway, as I would have probably voted for him instead. Once he left the primary race, I knew where my vote was going. He was the only serious chance the R's had with me in this election cycle.

[_moksha]

Huntsman would have stood a very good chance. For one thing, he would have been honest during the debates.

[_ajax18]

I think a more interesting question would be how Mormonism would effect or be effected by Harry Reid running for president. Harry Reid being senate majority leader has already caused a lot of cognitive dissonnace amongst Mormons. I'd just be interested to see the debates on the left during the primary. Yeah, I guess that's why it would never happen. It sure would be an interesting experience to add to our laboratory data.

[_MeDotOrg]

I think a more interesting question would be how Mormonism would effect or be effected by Harry Reid running for president. Harry Reid being senate majority leader has already caused a lot of cognitive dissonnace amongst Mormons. I'd just be interested to see the debates on the left during the primary. Yeah, I guess that's why it would never happen. It sure would be an interesting experience to add to our laboratory data.

Interesting point, ajax18. Harry Reid is sort of the Allen West of Mormons.

As to John Huntsman, I don't think there is any question he would have done better with women, moderates and independents.

My questions would be:how much money would he have raised and could he energize the Republican base to turn out for him, or would they have seen it as a 'tweedledum-tweedledee' election?

[_Bond James Bond]

He would have had a better shot than Romney IMHO but really it was a referendum on Obama. The Republicans have to provide a candidate and set of policies or message for people to vote for besides:

That other guy sucks on foreign policy so basically I'll do his policies but better. Oh and yeah the economy has been in the crapper for five years so I'll cut taxes for everyone and increase military spending and also balance the budget with a plan that I won't fully articulate until after the election.

[_Brackite]

Could have Rick Santorum beaten Obama? NO!
Could have Rick Perry beaten Obama? NO!
Could have Newt Gingrich beaten Obama? NO!
Could have Michelle Bachmann beaten Obama? NO!
Could have Ron Paul beaten Obama? NO!
Could have John Huntsman beaten Obama? YES!

[_ajax18]

Could have John Huntsman beaten Obama? YES!

Why?

[_Brackite]

Could have John Huntsman beaten Obama? YES!

Why?

Huntsman is very smart, he did a great job as Governor of Utah, and he was more moderate than the rest of the GOP Candidates that I listed here.

[_bcspace]

If he had, could he have won the election?

No. In part, Romney wasn't conservative enough and so voters weren't excited and stayed home. Huntsman would have been worse. Plus, if you want liberalism, why vote for other than the real deal? Hence no Democrats would have been peeled off.