WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JON HUNTSMAN’S DEBATE PERFORMANCE
NBC News’ “First Read” Blog: “Huntsman’s strong performance: It came during the 15th debate of the GOP campaign, but Huntsman delivered perhaps his strongest debate performance of the cycle. He summed up the rationale for his candidacy when he said he wanted to unify the country and restore trust.” (Chuck Todd, et al, “First Thoughts: Rivals Pile On Romney,” NBC News’ “First Read” Blog, 1/8/12)
The Washington Post’s “The Fix” Blog On Huntsman’s Winning Performance: “Huntsman’s best moment in any debate came when he pushed back on Romney’s bashing over his service in the Obama Administration — noting that he has and always will put country first.” (Chris Cillizza, “New Hampshire GOP Debate(s): Winners And Losers,” The Washington Post’s “The Fix” Blog, 1/8/12)
American Spectator’s Aaron Goldstein: “Jon Huntsman - I think this was his best debate. His answers were full of sobriety instead of snark. The highlight of his debate was his exchange with Romney over his service as Ambassador to China. … [I] have a feeling Huntsman will exceed expectations in New Hampshire.” (Aaron Goldstein, “NBC Meet The Press NH GOP Debate Post-Mortem,” American Spectator’s “The Spectacle” Blog, 1/8/12)
Human Events’ Tony Lee: “Huntsman should be proud of himself after this debate. He may be moderate on some issues, but he's honest. He's not a phony.” (Tony Lee Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
Buzz Feed’s Zeke Miller’s Gives Gov. Huntsman Highest Grade Of All Candidates For Debate Performance: “A-” (Zeke Miller Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
The Salt Lake Tribune Headline: “Huntsman Hits Romney Back Over Putting ‘Country First’” (Thomas Burr, “Huntsman Hits Romney Back Over Putting ‘Country First’,” The Salt Lake Tribune, 1/8/12)
New York Magazine’s John Heilemann On Debate Attacks From Ron Paul Campaign: “The Paul people are really concerned that Jon Huntsman is rising and that he poses a threat to Paul’s standing…” (MSNBC’s “Post Debate Analysis,” 1/8/12)
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews: “He was able to score tonight with that wonderful retort to Romney, the front runner. … It was chilling. It was a line almost right out of the McCarthy hearings. One of those great retorts.” (MSNBC’s “Post Debate Analysis,” 1/8/12)
The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake: “Shocking poll numbers from our live blog: 51 percent think Huntsman winning the debate, just 3 percent say Paul #paulitessleepin?” (Aaron Blake Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/08/2012)
Nate Silver, NY Times: "Debate grades, this time with all 6 candidates: Huntsman A, Santorum A-, Paul B, Perry B, Gingrich B-, Romney B-" (Nate Silver Twitter feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
NBC News’s Jo Ling Kent: “I've watched Huntsman ever step of the way. This is his best debate - and the one where he has got the most speaking time by far.” (Jo Ling Kent Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
Daily Beast’s Holly Bailey: “Huntsman's last answer is the best closing campaign ad he could give here in NH.” (Holly Bailey Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
Eisenhower Institute’s Jennifer Donahue On Which Candidate Can Challenge Ron Paul: “If anybody can, it's Jon Huntsman. He’s coming across as authentic. He’s coming across as an outsider.” (MSNBC’s “Post Debate Analysis,” 1/8/12)
The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart: “Huntsman is winning the applause primary.” (Jonathan Capehart Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “Hunts had some good moments. Nicely timed going into Tues. And sorta a fun little implicit jab at McCain by ref'ing ‘country first’” (Jonathan Martin Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
American Enterprise Institute’s James Pethokoukis: “Huntsman: trust, Utah record (flat tax, pro-biz climate), county first” (James Pethokoukis Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
National Journal’s Jill Lawrence: “Huntsman trifecta: I served my country, just as my sons are doing now in military, while Romney was raising money” (Jill Lawrence Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 1/8/12)
