Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman took a startling position in the GOP debates last night — he suggested that the party not “run from science.” After candidates have lined up to reject everything from global warming to evolution, Huntsman is a standout in his Galileo moment in the GOP.
Huntsman stated:
“Listen, when you make comments that fly in the face of what 98 out of 100 climate scientists have said, when you call into question the science of evolution, all I’m saying is that, in order for the Republican Party to win, we can’t run from science. We can’t run from mainstream conservative philosophy. We’ve got to win voters.”
Wow.
I have long admired Jon Huntsman after we testified together before a House Committee when he was still governor of Utah. We then by coincidence flew back to Utah on the same plane. I found him very bright and engaging. I have little doubt that, if the GOP nominated Huntsman, they would win the White House — with many independent and Democratic votes going to Huntsman. He is moderate on many issues and exceptionally knowledgable about business issues. He also believes in science — a promising factor for a president. It is remarkable that such a position would make Huntsman a standout, but that is a measure of the times in which we are living. Of course, he lost the Pope Urban VIII vote.
With Obama at record lows in the polls, the Democrats are hanging their hopes on the GOP selecting an extremist and rejecting Huntsman. It has been pretty clear for months that Democrats are not going to be given a choice in their own party despite the desire of some to dump Obama. The problem is that Obama is now so unpopular that even some of the more extreme candidates might be able beat him.
Last night, Ron Paul won the straw polling after the debate.
Source: CBS
LK,
I think you have hit the nail on the head….
If the President was worth a darn he would have given his speech on the steps of the Washington Monument and all but one Democrat would have left the House to be there, but IMO they really aren’t serious about running the country or winning as a traditional Democratic political ideology either.
SWM,
The Abortion Issue debate makes up less than 5% of the voter base if I recall…from a segment of NPR…not generally a station frequented by republicans….That is sometimes the margin to elect someone…How does one say this gracefully and not sound like a misogynist, we have greater fish to fry than Abortion at this present moment…It is call Jobs, Employment, Housing and Food…and some people insurance…. Taking the stance of a single issue like abortion is an abomination to the people than are hungry, homeless and don’t have a job that pays sufficiently so that they can have it like the rest of the middle upper class….I am sure there are people that would cut off an appendage to have half of what we all take for granite…With that said a single issue to remain in support of someone is to ignore the realities of real life and that is as bad as a single issue candidate…They are all hat…
The problem is a lack of liberal Democrats. As long as there is a majority of conservatives in the House and Senate, and now, actually, a majority of bought and paid for corporatists in both Houses, the President is a marginal player. The best s/he can do is try to hold the line against the most egregious of repressive and/or insane economic legislation. What a liberal calls progress is impossible.
Also, as long as it’s a two party system the 23%-26% fringe that has hijacked the Republican party is in control. Unless the party caters to them the party can’t win. The Republican party is down for the count. They cultivated the fringe and welded themselves to it; they swept up the racists and know-nothings the Democrat’s left behind when they moved away from being the Dixicrat party and actively sought out the religious and social extremists. That the Republican party is being strangled by the rope they bought would be funny- ROFLMAO funny if the Democrats weren’t vying for some of the same voters.
I didn’t watch the debate, I took a nap. The economic policies of the contenders range from BS to downright insane- why watch that freak show? That’s why the President wasn’t welcome to give a talk about a jobs program before the debate, maybe some of the questions at the debate would have been nudged into substantive jobs/budget matters and the debaters nor the media was interested in that.
If the President was worth a darn he would have given his speech on the steps of the Washington Monument and all but one Democrat would have left the House to be there, but IMO they really aren’t serious about running the country or winning as a traditional Democratic political ideology either.
I enjoyed my nap, of my alternatives it seemed to be the best one. Bah, humbug!
Swarthmore Mom,
You are spot on that all of the Teapublicans have taken positions against women and Obama, even with his faults, is a progressive on most social issues. The Roberts Supremes are bought and paid for by their corporate sponsors and none of the Teapublican candidates will change that. I agree with Mespo’s earlier comment that the mere fact that it is a big deal that a Teapublican candidate actually believes in Science in 2011 is scary in itself.
In an abundance of caution, I’m not going to say dick about this twist in the conversation.
lottakatz,
“And so have you, I suppose that makes you a one-trick dick.”
Or, perchance, one tricky dick?
pond skipper,
“Is ‘penises’ the plural of penis?”
Yes, it is one of the two plural forms of the word. The other plural form is “penes”.
LK, based on that “vagina” crack, I would just have to classify anon as a dick without further qualifiers, unless you wanted to use “micropenis” instead.
anon nurse
1, September 8, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Agree completely with AY… Civility is the norm here…
======
But not an absolute 🙂
Anon, “swarthmore mom has always been a one trick…”
****
And so have you, I suppose that makes you a one-trick dick.
Funny thread. Had some hearty laughs. Thanks.
“little consideration for those of us who lack penises”
Is “penises” the plural of penis? If it is, I must confess to also be lacking penises. That is not to say that my penis is lacking.
I do take the side of pro-choice women. I think the republican war on women is being swept under the rug. Not one of those candidates standing there last night is for reproductive freedom. Only Obama, with all his other defects. is.
Elaine M.,
I will say that Ann Richards had balls and a spine…..Not sure if she had a penis….
While I may disagree with someone, I will defend the right of the person to disagree. Something I have learned, I am not always right, but if I get an unwarranted attacked for a statement or support of a candidate that they do not support, then expect me to defend my position…and then don’t top it off by inferring that I am a misogynist, that’ll get my dander up quickly….
Completely disagree with anon’s characterization of SwM and I completely agree with Elaine’s far more accurate description of SwM’s posts.
I am thoroughly enjoying the back and forth between AY and SwM
Swarthmore mom has never focused on just one issue in her comments at the Turley blog as long as I’ve been a regular visitor to this blog–which is about two years. She often contributes much to our discussions. She also provides links to interesting articles.
I happen to agree with the following comment that she made in this thread:
“I do look distrustfully at those that do not consider women’s rights when discussing human rights. It has absolutely nothing to do with me personally. It has to do with lack of consideration for women in general.”
It appears that one of the individuals commenting on this thread has little consideration for those of us who lack penises.
Agree completely with AY… Civility is the norm here…
Anon,
While I appreciate the support, the comments regarding vigina are unnecessary. Let’s keep it civil. Thanks.
@ay, @swarthmore mom,
“So as far as the statement you made: “Obviously women’s issues are of no concern.” It does not compute…people can disagree and still maintain a civil conversation….don’t you think…To disagree with someone does not mean that personal attacks are warranted….don’t you agree?”
swarthmore mom has always been a one trick vagina in the comments. Even her name emphasizes her vagina. You’re not going to knock her off her vagina stump.
Swarthmore mom
1, September 8, 2011 at 1:13 pm
AY, That is right. Try to make me a villain because I disagree with you on so many aspects of life. I do look distrustfully at those that do not consider women’s rights when discussing human rights. It has absolutely nothing to do with me personally. It has to do with lack of consideration for women in general. …
First, I did not make you out to be a villain….I am unsure what you are saying with the remaining portion of your statement….
I will state this though, “Lack of consideration” for women, men or children is just plain rude. I did not think you were one to propound in the ideal of of southern chivalry…