In Charleston, Huntsman Talks Bluntly

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman gave it straight to a crowd of Charleston Republicans on Sunday: The U.S. economy is in the toilet and American morale is the lowest it’s been in decades, he said.

“Right now our core is weak at home,” Huntsman said to a crowd of 200 or more in West Ashley. “We need some homebuilding right here on the homefront. … Only America can save America.”

So as President, Huntsman will do three things, he said: reform taxes, simplify regulatory rules and work toward independence from foreign oil.

But if the crowd was any indication, Huntsman might be a hard sell in South Carolina.

Considered the most moderate candidate in a crowded Republican field, one audience member asked how many members of the audience wanted a moderate nominee. Only a few hands shot up.

Huntsman, a Mormon with seven children, brought up his adopted daughter on stage at the beginning of the hour-long talk and told the audience “every day we’re glad her mother chose life,” in an apparent nod to his anti-abortion stance.

Huntsman got specific on issues, saying he favored privatization of Medicare for anyone under 55 years old, and he said he was in favor of increasing the eligibility age for Social Security.

Voters gave him raucous applause and even a standing ovation, though two said they weren’t quite convinced Huntsman is their choice.

“I think he has been the most specific candidate we’ve seen,” said Allison Floyd of Charleston. “Some people might not like that, but if you only talk in generalities, like the other candidates, it’s easy to make everyone like you.”

Kathy Hughes of Mount Pleasant was hoping to hear Huntsman talk about immigration and securing the nation’s border, a topic he briefly discussed during a question-and-answer period. He said he'd "put more boots on the ground" to deal with the issue.

With the primary more than six months away, John Marcoux of Mount Pleasant said there was plenty of time for voters to decide on who they want to be the nominee.

“It’s way too early to say right now,” Marcoux said. “I don’t know enough about Huntsman to even rank him right now."

Huntsman’s Sunday stop in West Ashley is part of a two-day Lowcountry tour that will include a stop on Monday at Boeing's manufacturing plant in North Charleston.

He is here at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who has invited 12 GOP primary presidential candidates to meet with his Lowcountry constituents in "Tim's Town Halls."

Later this month, Scott will host Michele Bachman on Aug. 25 at a location that will be announced later. The site does not list any other scheduled candidates at this time.