Jon Huntsman’s decision to announce his presidential candidacy on Tuesday with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop suggests a conventional campaign that might border on the cheesy.
But it appears the Huntsman roll out will be anything but typical.
The former Utah governor put up a 26-second video on his web site today that is either enticing or confusing, depending on your point of view.
It shows a motocross rider racing through the Utah desert (presumably). As country music plays, this message comes across the screen:
“In six days.”
Followed by “Did not become famous with his band Wizard.”
And that’s it.
Well, I did a little quick checking and found that a long-haired Huntsman was the keyboard player for a fairly successful Salt Lake City rock band called Wizard int he 1970s.
Apparently, the candidate will offer a daily online video with little tidbits that indicate he’s not your typical politician. I suspect the motorcycle rider plowing through the brush is Huntsman, which probably won’t be revealed until the final video clip.
Republican activist John Yob, who is apparently one of Huntsman’s biggest Michigan supporters, offered this comment on Facebook about 30 minutes ago: “Remember the Nerd ads? Check out this video. Get ready …” The nerd reference would be about the eccentric “one tough nerd” spot run on Super Bowl Sunday last year by Rick Snyder.
The sparse web site (jonhuntsmanjr.com) also offers numerous past headlines, with links, that serve as a primer on the candidate.
Newsweek: “Mr. Huntsman Goes to Beijing”
New York Times: “Departing U.S. Envoy Criticizes China on Human Rights”
Wall Street Journal: “When Diplomacy Means Abandoning the Rule Book”
Real Clear Politics: “Huntsman Seeks to Run on His Record”
KSL TV: “Governor Signs Largest Tax Cut in Utah’s History”
Washington Post: “Health Reform Utah’s Way”
Life News: “Utah Governor Signs Three Pro-Life Bills to Limit Abortions, Law Firm Will Help”
Life News: “Utah Governor Huntsman Signs Parental Consent Bill on Teen Abortions”
While Huntsman has been criticized for skipping Monday’s debate in New Hampshire and getting off to a slow start, over at Politico they have a report today under this headline: “Huntsman gets huge insider push”
Here’s the blog post by Mike Allen: “Several prominent Bush names are siding with Jon Huntsman, who formally announces his campaign Tuesday. A rooftop … reception-fundraiser in D.C. tonight is sold out and over capacity. Juleanna Glover, one of the co-chairs, emails: ‘I’d asked some uncommitted heavy-hitter funder and policy types to come as my guests … but I had to disinvite them since there is just no more room (they’ll attend another event later this month). Without exception every GOP member, staffer, donor, policy wonk with whom I’ve spoken (except those on other presidential campaign payrolls of course!) wants to see Huntsman up-close and in action – the interest is profoundly intense.’ Levels — Co-Chair: $1,000 (give or raise), Host: $250 (give or raise), Attend: $100, Young Professionals Attend: $50.
