It’s not an endorsement that former Utah Gov. John Huntsman likely asked for, but his policy positions have won the support of Howard Dean.
On MSNBC’s Tuesday broadcast of “Morning Joe,” the former Democratic National Committee chairman and Vermont governor praised Huntsman, especially as he stacks up against other GOP contenders.
“Jacob [Weisberg, of Slate] wrote this was ‘the thinking man’s candidate,'” said Dean. “There aren’t any thinking people in the Republican Party. I’m serious. Name a few thoughtful policy analysts in the Republican Party — not Rick Perry, not Michele Bachmann. Look at all these people. Huntsman is the real deal.”
As for the others considered potential “thinking man’s” candidates, like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, they had flaws.
“The problem with Mitt Romney is, Mitt Romney is thoughtful and he is smart and he’s lived in the real world, but he’ll say roughly anything to get elected,” Dean alleged. “Newt is great. I like Newt a lot. He has a lot of interesting ideas. The trouble is that his own friends will tell you that he comes out with ten ideas a day and one of them makes sense. Is that the guy you want in the White House?”
Ultimately, Dean suggested Huntsman should be a Democrat.
“I learned that Jon Huntsman is a great candidate for president but he is in the wrong party,” Dean said. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that from me.”
