What Huntsman Brings to the Table

I was one of 36 people to cast a straw poll ballot for Jon Huntsman at this year’s Conservative Policy Action Conference and, like a lot of other reform-minded Republicans, I admire his concern about the environment and his modern views on social issues (although I’m glad he’s pro-life).

The thing that makes me happiest about his entry into the race, however, is the fact that he offers Republicans a second candidate (the first is Mitt Romney) who has shown he knows how to run a government.

Huntsman's achievements as Utah's governor were very significant. The state introduced an innovative, well-designed high-risk health insurance pool, built lots of new roads and cut taxes.

Spending increased under his time in office but a lot of the increases were as a result of either needed infrastructure or costs (like Medicaid) over which governors have very little control. Governing Magazine and the Pew Center both named Utah under Huntsman as one of the best managed states in the country.

Huntsman still hasn’t been tried on the campaign trail and I’d like to know more about where he stands on some issues.

But, for now, I’m extremely glad he’s in the race.