In a late boost to his flagging campaign, Jon Huntsman scored one of the most coveted endorsements in the New Hampshire primary on Thursday: The Boston Globe.
“Among the candidates, only two stand out as truly presidential, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman,” the paper’s editors wrote. “Both have track records of success, and both, through their policies and demeanors, have shown the breadth of spirit to lead the nation. But while Romney proceeds cautiously, strategically, trying to appease enough constituencies to get himself the nomination, Huntsman has been bold. Rather than merely sketch policies he articulates goals and ideals.”
The editorial goes on to note that Huntsman “has stood up more forcefully than Romney against those in his party who reject evolution and the science behind global warming.”
In a dig at Romney, the editors noted that many of Romney’s achievements as governor, which led them to consider backing his candidacy, have since been disavowed in favor of more conservative positions.
“Romney, of course, has taken pains to distance himself from much of his administration,” they wrote. “Now, he campaigns in a way that gives little indication of the kind of president he would be. His attacks on Obama are so hyperbolic – the president favors European-style socialism, apologizes for America, doesn’t understand the vision of the Founding Fathers – that they say nothing about his own viewpoint; most likely, he’s trying to stir up enough dust to suggest a passionate denunciation of Obama without offering a disciplined critique or alternative course.”
Despite campaigning in New Hampshire more than any other candidate, Huntsman has never broken out in the polls. The Globe is one of the top news sources for bordering New Hampshire and could give him a key boost of credibility right when he needs it the most.
