Huntsman Tries To Be A Likable Conservative

Joshua Green:

 Jon Huntmsan arrived in New Hampshire last week touted by much of the national press corps as the Republicans' miracle moderate: The former Utah governor and ambassador to China for President Obama acknowledges global warming, supports civil unions for gays, and has criticized Republicans' obstinacy and extremism -- shocking stuff in a party that's been galloping to the right. Now, he'd like that same party to nominate him to challenge Obama.

This storyline proved irresistible to the media, if not to the residents of New Hampshire. During his five-day swing through the state, Huntsman's events were mobbed by reporters, who often outnumbered actual citizens. Part of the interest stemmed from the anticipated clash with conservatives upset at having a moderate in their midst.

That confrontation never came, and one reason why it didn't is that Huntsman showed himself as much more conservative than advertised. Without disavowing his earlier positions, he staked out territory well to the right of some other candidates, which suggests that he's less concerned with pushing new ideas than in presenting the old ones in a more palatable way.

I don't know that this will work well.  It's nice that a Republican candidate recognizes reality on global warming and civil unions, but wrapping up conservative boilerplate in niceness isn't going to fly again, I don't think.  Compassionate Conservatism was tried by somebody, and just ended up being taxes for the wealthy, wars, incompetent governance and a collapsed economy.  I don't think we can get buy the same crap again.  Unfortunately, it is going to take a complete electoral obliteration for the GOP to realize that taxes must go up on the wealthy, and we will need more government, not less in health care, among the more pressing issues.  As for the social issues, Republicans will continue to lose young voters as long as they insist on maintaining their hostility to gay marriage and immigrants.  It appears that they just don't care, and will tie themselves to the aging boomers and let the chips fall as they may.  I think I'll just steer clear of the crazy train.