GOP Field Grows Again with Jon Huntsman

Transcript from June 20, 2011 CNN's - The Arena


ROMANS: Brace yourselves. You're about to see something rare in American politics. Former ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, until recently a key adviser to President Obama, a powerful member of his administration, he will officially break ranks to announce his own run for the White House.

Huntsman campaign kicks off tomorrow in Liberty State Park, New Jersey. And meanwhile Texas Governor Rick Perry is waiting in the wings. For more on the race, I'm joined now by CNN senior political analyst David Gergen, Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor James Carville, and Republican strategy Tony Blankley.

Gentlemen, welcome to the program.

David, you know, I know the other two want to weigh in on this right away. So I want to hear quick thoughts on President Obama's lead man in China, the number one proponent of his policies in the world's second largest economy. Now he's gone from adviser and our man in China to the president's opponent. It's really a remarkable turn.

DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: It is. It's a fascinating moment in American politics. He's not at all well known here in this country. I think there was a poll out in Iowa asking about preferences and one person, one person -- I don't know if this would start this little base -- said they would like to see Jon Huntsman.

But if you look at him on paper, he is one of the most credential people we've had run in this race. If he can make it, if he can get some sparks going, there are a lot of people who are smart people who think he can be a very formidable candidate.

ROMANS: James Carville, you know, I mean does it help him or hurt him? Here he was an insider. I mean I've heard him dismissed as a Democrat almost because he worked for this administration. Or does it help him because he is the one with the credibility to stand up and say, I know the president's policies, I know the president's economic plan, and I decide I don't like it?

JAMES CARVILLE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, I think he has a pretty good answer. He's answered with a pretty good answer. But he's also been for the individual mandate. He's been -- he thinks global warming is manmade.

I don't think he fits very well into the profile of what Republicans are looking for. He seems like an accomplished guy. He speaks Mandarin Chinese. And seems to have had as far as I can tell a good record as governor of Utah. But I think he -- I don't think the shoe is going to fit here.

ROMANS: Well, let me ask a question then. Here is the next thing. Now you've got two Mormons in the race and according to, you know, a new survey, 22 percent of Americans are reluctant, guys, to vote for a Mormon including 20 percent of Republicans and a whopping 27 percent of Democrats.

Can Huntsman or Mitt Romney hope to overcome this challenge overall and win the nomination? Tony?

CARVILLE: You're asking me?

ROMANS: Yes. That' that's for Tony. Sorry.

CARVILLE: OK, I'm sorry.

TONY BLANKLEY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, EDELMAN PR: Yes, look, I think -- I think he can. You have to look at that number not in the abstract but a certain percentage of the electorate, you know, won't vote for the Evangelical Christian or a Catholic or a Jew or anything else.

The fact that 27 percent is in Democratic Party might suggest that a higher percentage, for instance, of African-Americans might be hostile for the understandable reason that Mormonism until a generation ago was not friendly to African-Americans.

So is -- can an effective candidate who makes presidential timber, who runs a good campaign who is a Mormon win on the Republican Party? Yes, I think he could. Whether this man can make that profile, we'll see.

GERGEN: Yes, let me --

ROMANS: David?

GERGEN: Yes. Let me just add this, Christine. Look, two things. One is, it's important to -- look, I think a Mormon can win. And it's important to remember that -- the year before John Kennedy won as a Catholic 25 percent of the country said they would not support a Catholic. They were against a Catholic in the presidency. And yet he won the election.

And the second thing is, this is a country that after all just elected an African-American. No other advanced country has shown that kind of embrace of someone like that. So I think that they would embrace a Mormon.

ROMANS: You know, James Carville --

(CROSSTALK)

ROMANS: Go ahead.

CARVILLE: Go ahead. I just want to make one clear point here. There's absolutely no evidence that the Mormon Church exercises any influence over Mormon politicians. Harry Reid is a Mormon. Senator Udall is a Mormon. Senator Hatch is a Mormon.

Go look at their voting record. Mormons have served this country with distinction for a long time and would I vote for Harry Reid if I lived in Nevada? Doggone right, I would send him a check. Wouldn't matter to me.

GERGEN: That's right.

CARVILLE: It wouldn't matter to me if somebody else did. I mean I just think this is -- in my mind it should be a nonstarter in anybody's mind. There's actually record of Mormons' public serving with distinction. GERGEN: Well, I agree. The other thing is that Mormon business people we know have created a lot of jobs. And including his father who I have known for 40 years who is a terrific guy. They come from very good family. But they are very, very good at creating jobs.

ROMANS: Well, that's a good point because jobs is what's so important here.

And Tony, I wanted to ask you about this abortion pledge making the rounds. Because there are some who are suggesting that all of this talk again about some of what used to be called wedge issues is taking a little bit of the focus away from the fact that we have a jobs problem and there are still maybe isn't a clear and easy solution out of the jobs problem.

And so are things like this abortion pledge that's going around, that Mitt Romney by the way refused to sign, is that taking the eye off the ball a little bit? Are these legitimate concerns for base voters?

BLANKLEY: Well, look, I don't think the Republican is going to get the nomination if they're not right to life. But on the other hand, I agree with Romney. I'm not particularly a supporter of him but I agree that he took the right position saying, I'm not going to sign pledges that waive my right to make appointment as president of the United States.

ROMANS: Right.

BLANKLEY: You don't know whether an attorney general or senior Justice official you want to hire for some reason other than the abortion issue and this pledge goes well beyond what the traditional right to life position expects.

It talks about defunding possibly -- it's ambiguous. Defunding every hospital in the country.

I think Romney was right not to focus on this. I think he shows some integrity and guts. So I think he took the right position. I do not think he'll be hurt by it.

ROMANS: There's so much to get to. I want to real quickly bring in Texas Governor Rick Perry, another Republican. You know flirting maybe with a run. Or maybe his supporters are flirting with -- trying to get him to make a run. He gave a speech to the Republican leadership conference this weekend. I want to listen to it quickly.

All right.



GOV. RICK PERRY (R), TEXAS: Let's stand up. Let's speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our effort to elect more conservative Republicans. Let's stop this American downward spiral.

ROMANS: David Gergen, do you think he's going to run for president?

GERGEN: I think there's a very good chance he will because there's an increasing cry among Republicans to get another conservative in the race. Someone who is exciting. You know Michele Bachmann has, you know, excited, ignited audiences -- Republicans audience in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Rick Perry would have that same effect. I think he'd be quickly in the top tier. I believe -- I still believe that Mitt Romney would be the frontrunner whether Perry gets in or not.

ROMANS: Carville?

CARVILLE: Yes, I think -- I hope he runs.

(CROSSTALK)

ROMANS: Why do you hope he runs? Why? Tell me why.

CARVILLE: Because anybody that talked about succession needs to run for president. You know? That's what we wanted to think this presidency before. And -- plus, I -- you know, I don't -- he talks a lot and he's not very bright. And that's a combination I like in Republicans.

BLANKLEY: I think if James is doing a briar patch for him, I think Perry must be a pretty good candidate.

(LAUGHTER)

CARVILLE: But I definitely hope -- I want Sarah Palin to run. Tony, understand, I want a big field here. I'm all for it. The more the merrier. And I agree that -- you know, Romney just seems like such a front runner. He's got so much more money than anyone else.

New Hampshire primary lines up nicely for him. And every time I think that he's got to get the nomination, I get a doubt that a lot of Republicans just have a lot of second -- you know, just doubt things. It's going to be interesting to see. He's got a lot of pressure on him. He should win.

ROMANS: And if you, guy -- it is only just beginning. I mean the twist and turns, I can't wait.

All right, James Carville, Tony Blankley, David Gergen, thanks. Nice to have you all.

GERGEN: Thanks, Christine.

BLANKLEY: Thank you.