Jon Huntsman Takes Reagan's Stage

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman officially launched his 2012 presidential bid this morning with an expertly stage-managed piece of political theater at Liberty State Park, with Lady Liberty herself providing the backdrop from across the water.

I had arrived in New Jersey in the wee hours of the morning with more than 40 enthusiastic Huntsman supporters who had chartered a bus from Washington to witness the kick-off of Huntsman's campaign. And as the hours ticked off before Huntsman's announcement speech, the crowd's mood only continued to build. The former rock-musician-turned-politician-and-diplomat has something most of his rivals in the GOP presidential pack lack -- a low-key but genuine star quality.

With a scrum of young people gathered in front of the stage, the Huntsman family received a rousing reception before the announcement speech. One person standing beside me noted Huntsman was not only using the same patriotic scenery employed by Ronald Reagan when he made his 1980 candidacy official -- the design of the podium was almost identical as well, even down to the placement of the American flags at the back of the stage.

As I said yesterday, my top priority when it comes to the GOP's field of candidates is to hear a strong, pragmatic economic recovery message -- and Jon Huntsman Jr. provided just that today.

Above all, Huntsman delivered an optimistic speech, but one in which he argued we need more than hope -- “We need answers.” He referred to the United States as a country which has “done more good for more people than any other nation on earth,” and made the promise to “reignite innovation” and invention.

The event seemed to draw a disproportionately large number of college students and twenty-somethings.

Tyler Roberts, a 21- year-old intern in D.C., said he has long supported Huntsman and was excited to be there for the campaign launch. Citing Huntman’s ability to relate to young people, Roberts said Huntsman was “qualified” and provided an “inspiring image.” Going further, he said the real clincher for him was a YouTube video which summarised the former governor and ambassador’s credentials, philosophy and family life. After learning Huntsman had adopted a Chinese daughter (one of his seven children), Roberts said it made him feel the newly-announced candidate was “a real person.”

Of course, not every young adult at the event was won over.

Michael Fischer, a rising junior at Georgetown University, said he came to the launch out of pure curiosity.

While he says Huntsman has “a lot of potential,” he couldn’t give him his support. But in the end, he admitted: “He seemed calm and collected. Ready to get his hands dirty.”

If anything, Huntsman’s speech can be summed up in a single pledge: “We can and will win the future.”

His main goal was reassurance. He promised to allow America to continue to choose its destiny as it always has -- but to help the country shape a more positive destiny by vigorously pursuing a "bold"  economic agenda aimed at revitalizing industry and putting Americans back to work.

Huntsman has pledged a campaign of civility -- and he delivered on that promise during his speech, never once directly criticizing President Obama. His positive, upbeat approach sets him as much apart from the rest of the GOP field as his positive economic message. The resemblance to Reagan's cheerful can-do approach to campaigning clearly goes well beyond the choice of the same patriotic setting for their announcement speeches.