Huntsman Returns to Upstate

Returning to the Upstate for the first time , GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman spoke on Thursday at the Converse College Presidential Forum Series in Spartanburg.

The former Utah governor spoke at length about education and foreign policy. The attention paid to education came as no surprise, as it is a popular course of study for many Converse students. While Huntsman's opening remarks focused on the country's educational system as it relates to the economy, he did receive questions from the audience regarding foreign affairs.

Huntsman struck a fundamentally optimistic tone while describing a country “more divided” than it’s ever been and an economy that has left working families “shipwrecked,” as well as the possibility that the next generation might not be better off than the present one.

Huntsman recounted conversations with sheriff’s deputies he had while campaigning in New Hampshire who told him of a spike in suicides and cases of spousal and drug abuse. He said such problems are the most “painful” aspect of the country’s scuffling economy and are underplayed.

But the former ambassador to China returned to what he believes are the many strengths that still exist in America: Innovative entrepreneurs, great universities, and the rule of law, to name a few.

What the country lacks Huntsman said is leadership and a plan.

In his opening remarks Huntsman talked about his record in Utah, where he was re-elected with 80 percent of the vote and unemployment was at 2.4 percent at one point.

Speaking directly to many members of the audience who are likely studying education, Huntsman seemed to reach out to teachers, something his opponents have not done, saying, “We need to pay good teachers what they’re worth."

Huntsman did not mention any of the other candidates during the stop, but his campaign did release a new ad today. 

Huntsman told the crowd he would not sign any pledges nor would he ask China to pay a tariff, as he fears that would only prompt a trade war, which would inevitably harm small businesses. Huntsman also said he does not plan to visit Donald Trump.

Thus far, Huntsman has spent the bulk of his time in New Hampshire and is , despite having secured . Huntsman spoke on Wednesday to a crowd of about 100 at the College of Charleston.

When asked , some GOP insiders felt Huntsman had two strikes against him, the first being that he served as ambassador to China under President Obama, with the second being that he’s of the Mormon faith. Huntsman did not discuss religion on Thursday, but on being asked by Obama to serve he said, “It would have been unpatriotic not to.”

Brooke Rowell, a junior at Converse who is an undecided voter, believes that Huntsman can overcome those obstacles.

“The more he gets his name out there the better he’ll be,” she said. “I didn’t know much about him, but people need to take the time to look at his stance on the issues."

When asked about Huntsman’s religion, Converse senior Amy Peele said, “I try to look at candidates based on their capacity to govern. Religion says something about a person’s character, but we’re not a theocracy. We’re a republic."

On Friday, Huntsman finishes the trip to South Carolina with a town hall hosted by the York County GOP and Winthrop University. The 8 a.m. event will be in McBryde Hall at 695 Scholars Walk, Rock Hill.