I don't find him anything like McCain, from what I've read. McCain is "centrist" in a "I'll say anything to please whomever I'm talking to and change in the breeze" kinda way. Huntsman seems to be centrist in a "I believe what I believe and don't give a rat's ass which party's platform that belief might fall under" kinda way.

I agree that character wise they are quite different, but it is very early. In the same way that McCain turned right to get the base, Huntsman will have to do the same thing. i just don't see the right falling for it again like they did with McCain.

And my brief fascination with Herman Caen is over. Don't think he's the guy. Right now I'm hoping Rick Perry gets in.

Boy, that'd liven things up around this thread!

Mind you, Perry's already been linked to John Hagee, and that did McCain a bit of hurt last time around.

If I thought such a thing had a chance in hell of passing his support for a Right to Life constitutional amendment making abortion illegal would be a deal breaker. But if elected president I do think he'd likely continue (or do nothing to get int he way of others) the chipping away at abortion access.

Though his self reversal on the individual mandate does suggest that he has the same chance as McCain: conform to the talking points and move on.

But he is certainly more palatable to me so far than the other major Republican candidate at the moment. But it will be interesting to see how his positions withstand the need to go much further right to get anywhere.

Alex, do you mean Huntsman or Perry?

Right now, the primary thing that has me liking Huntsman is this.

When I hear Huntsman, I always think of this:

I think Huckabee played good cop for a while, too.

If Huntsman gets the nomination, how soon before Obama is referred to as President Footman?

The difference being that Huntsman has a record of actually acting in accordance with that statement, not just paying it lip service.

Not that the extreme and unique pressures on a Presidential candidate can't change that. And really, he's never going to win the nomination by saying 'I respect Obama', so I'm sure if he does become the nominee he'll have spent all that good will by the time it gets to that point. But, individual issues aside, if he doesn't sell out on the principles he's made it this far with, I'd be happy to see him run. Might even throw an open primary vote his way.

I was talking about Huntsman. I've not yet seen much good to say about Perry (but admittedly I haven't looked at him particularly closely).