Jon Huntsman’s effusive praise for President Obama, former-President Bill Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn’t going to “make [him] a lot of friends” in the Tea Party, said a spokesman for the Tea Party Express.
“Effusive praise for a President who continually violates the basic economic principles the Tea Party believes in isn’t going to make you a lot of friends in the movement,” said Tea Party Express spokesman Levi Russell.
Mark Meckler, co-founder of the Tea Party patriots, said “As I understand it, he’s always been very moderate. And a politician cozying up to his political bosses doesn’t seem surprising either,” Meckler said.
Herman Cain, one of two potential Republican presidential candidates with significant backing in the Tea Party, declined to comment. Rep. Michele Bachmann did not immediately return a request for comment.