Feb 13 2009, 3:14 pm by Marc Ambinder
2012 And Huntsman's Surprise

(with reporting from Justin Miller)

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R) stunned his state when his spokesperson announced the governor's support for civil unions. 70 percent of Utahns oppose civil unions, but their objections won't count against Huntsman who said he won't run for a third term as governor - but they could weigh heavily on a 2012 White House run. Huntsman is presidential-quality timber. One of the most popular governors in the country, he's smart, has deep pockets that could fund a campaign and he's had a conservative record earned by cutting taxes and slimming government. He is pro-life and calls himself a social conservative. In fact, the Weekly Standard calls him as "impressive as [Bobby] Jindal, though far more moderate." After this week's development Huntsman will live up to the "far more moderate" label. Huntsman was one of the first governors to endorse John McCain in 2008 and stayed with McCain through The Troubles.

Should he run for president, Huntsman would take heat, just as ex-Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney The Republican base, by and large, is suspicious of candidates who support any legal recognition of same-sex couples. A large plurality -- maybe a majority -- of early Republican primary voters are viscerally uncomfortable with homosexuality and view it as a threat.

Mr. Romney was blasted as a false convert to the "pro-marriage" side for appearing to switch his position from favoring civil unions to opposing them. Romney said he supported neither arrangement for gays but preferred civil unions if he had to choose; he was pushed into weighing in on the issue because of his state's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage during his term.

Huntsman might have it worse: he is choosing to take a position on the issue without being pressured to. "Pro family" groups have accused him of betraying conservatives by embracing civil unions after campaigning against them in 2004 when he ran for governor and said he supported Utah's constitutional amendment outlawing unions and marriage for gays. Huntsman hasn't yet explained his mind-change in detail.

The bill Huntsman endorsed has little chance of passing the conservative Utah legislature.

Beyond civil unions, Huntsman also threw his support behind a bill to allow two unmarried, co-habiting adults to sign a "joint-support declaration" to gain inheritance rights and medical-decision making decisions for one another, as well as a bill to outlaw employment and housing discrimination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
If the Republican Party has a civil war in 2012, Huntsman may be laying down a marker.



Jon Huntsman has cut taxes, positioned Utah to benefit from the increased utilization of alternative fuels and renewable energy and has aggressively marketed the state as a business friendly destination. But alas he might not hate gays enough to be Presidential timber. I sincerely hope he does run for President. Then we'll be able to tell whether Republicans have any remaining lineage to the party of Barry Goldwater or have fully become the party of Tony Perkins.
Reply
Kate O'Hanlan, MD February 14, 2009 12:58 AM

Come on. Let think about this. The intellectual view, that will previal over time and win out is that homosexuality and even gender identity are hard-wired innocently into the fetal brain just like handedness and other biological traits (not genetic, per se). So, what are we gonna do? We are going to accept them like any group of society with traits that are new to us and not associated with any pathological behavior. That is the intellectual take on orientation, and identity.

The American Psychiatric Ass'n, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Ass'n, and American Psychoanalytic Ass'n confirm that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, and has no relation to an individuals ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work, or to contribute to society. They endorsed civil marriage for same sex couples because marriage strengthens the mental and physical health and the longevity of couples, and provides greater legal and financial security for children, parents, and seniors.

The American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, and American Psychoanalytic Association endorsed same-sex civil marriage because research confirms that it’s good for children, parents, and seniors.

Make your opinion from personal beliefs or from facts: The American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Psychological Association all endorsed same-sex civil marriage confirming benefits for children, parents, and seniors.

Interesting but I would like to hear more about this from him directly. There are two ways that I can think of that the conservatives can go. One way is the same way they always go with this issue. The other is pretending to be inclusive because they feel they might never get elected again if they don't. So forgive me if I am skeptical about this guy and his motives for a change of heart.

I believe that homosexuality is a genetic predisposition. I am surprised that a Utah governor has endorsed same sex unions of any kind.

Utah is predominantly Mormon and Mormons were the single largest financial supporters of banning same sex marriage in California, both by in state and out of state contributions.

Like I said this surprises me.
I suspect his political career in Utah, or elsehere, is over despite his lack of governorship terms being a cause.

Mormons are among the most racist and intolerant of same sex unions among any denomination of any faith.

Mormons elect Mormons and so on and so forth... so like I said this TRULY surprises and pleases me.

RW