Politics

Jon Huntsman’s love letters

Jonathan Strong Jonathan Strong, 27, is a reporter for the Daily Caller covering Congress. Previously, he was a reporter for Inside EPA where he wrote about environmental regulation in great detail, and before that a staffer for Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA). Strong graduated from Wheaton College (IL) with a degree in political science in 2006. He is a huge fan of and season ticket holder to the Washington Capitals hockey team. Strong and his wife reside in Arlington.
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Jon Huntsman, President Obama’s outgoing ambassador to China, is considering running against his boss in 2012 as a Republican.

But two handwritten letters from Huntsman obtained by The Daily Caller raise the question of why he’s not campaigning for Obama instead.

“You are a remarkable leader,” Huntsman wrote to Obama in an Aug. 16, 2009 note, underlining the word “remarkable,” “and it has been a great honor getting to know you.”

The letter thanks Obama for “the graciousness and kindness you have shown me and my family – particularly your confidence in my ability to represent you in China.” Huntsman said he was “leaving behind a state we love – but anticipating an extraordinary experience in Beijing.”

In an Aug. 10, 2009 letter to former President Bill Clinton, Huntsman was similarly effusive.

“I have enormous regard for your experience, sense of history and brilliant analysis of world events. Please save some time for me when I’m next in New York,” Huntsman said.

In that same letter, Huntsman, who plans to leave his post in Beijing April 30, had kind words for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well.

“I must report that Sec. Clinton has won the hearts and minds of the State Dept. bureaucracy — no easy task. And after watching her in action, I can see why. She is well-read, hard working, personable and has even more charisma than her husband! It’s an honor to work with her,” Huntsman wrote.

The letters highlight two key political vulnerabilities of Huntsman in a Republican primary.

First, he spent the last year and a half working for the president he would be running against, and his aides began preparing his campaign while he was still representing the U.S. in Beijing, one of the most important overseas posts.

Second, Huntsman, who made his name as a moderate governor of Utah, pushing the GOP to the left on the environment, may be too liberal for the Republican primary electorate. His deep admiration for the president, a “brilliant” former Democratic president, and a key member of the administration could compound his vulnerability on those issues.

Obama’s political advisers have been detailing these same pitfalls to top Democratic donors in closed-door meetings, the Wall Street Journal recently reported.

Reached for comment about the letters, a political strategist who supports Huntsman tried to pin their release on the Obama White House.

“Need further proof that the White House fears Jon Huntsman? I think not,” the source said.

The person who sent the letters to TheDC did so on the condition their identity not be disclosed.

Huntsman’s Aug. 16, 2009 letter to Obama:

August 16, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

I am most grateful for the graciousness and kindness you have shown me and my family – particularly your confidence in my ability to represent you in China. Mary Kaye and I will begin our journey tomorrow – leaving behind a state we love – but also anticipating an extraordinary experience in Beijing. You are a remarkable leader – and it has been a great honor getting to know you.

Jon

Huntsman’s Aug. 10, 2009 letter to Bill Clinton:

August 10, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

This being my last day as governor of Utah, I wanted to express my deep gratitude for your very thoughtful note. My only regret is that we were unable to find time for a China discussion before next week’s departure for Beijing. I have enormous regard for your experience, sense of history and brilliant analysis of world events. Please save some time for me when I’m next in New York.

I must report that Sec. Clinton has won the hearts and minds of the State Dept. bureaucracy — no easy task. And after watching her in action, I can see why. She is well-read, hard working, personable and has even more charisma than her husband! It’s an honor to work with her. Hope to see you soon.

Jon