Over the past month, Governor John Hunstman Jr. of Utah (where I live) dropped by 10% in approval rating. He's likely going to go even further down. Personally, however, I've only come to like the man even more.
Hunstman was elected as Utah's governor in 2004. As my father is a state delegate, I got to see behind the scenes in the republican party's selection of who would inevitably be governor. It really seemed the party just needed someone who could beat the incumbent, Olene Walker, who had inherited the position when Gov. Mike Leavitt left to be Bush's secretary of health and human sevices. My dad seemed to have the impression that Huntsman was just the son of a billionaire, and wouldn't really be anything special.
After four years, he had a record approval rating, and ran the state exceptionally well. He had, however, gone against his party one enviornmental issues. My dad loves to hate his policies on foreign waste and the environment.
There is more to hate now, though. Not long ago, Gov. Huntsman came out in support of civil union, which was what cause the 10% drop I meantioned above. Now, he's going even further, all but denouncing his party.
Huntsman quote, from Politico:
"I don't even know the congressional leadership," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, shrugging off questions about top congressional Republicans, including House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "I have not met them. I don't listen or read whatever it is they say because it is inconsequential - completely."
(Sorry it is so hard to read)
I've been hearing what the man has said on the news, and this is exactly where the republican party needs to go. Ditch the religious right. Ditch the politics of "No." The party needs to redefine it self. I'm a republican, but I've been ashamed of that affiliation in recent days with people like Sarah Palin speaking for the party. Hopefully people like Huntsman and others can get us away from Palin, and return us to the intelligent, progressive policies of Lincoln and T. Roosevelt.
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