Jon Huntsman, Jr.: an attractive Republican with a very nice family; former Governor of a conservative state; current Ambassador to China. Sounds like a potential GOP presidential candidate for 2012 doesn’t it? Well that’s the buzz if you want to believe liberal flack Newsweek or Obama campaign boy-wonder, David Plouffe.

Will Jon Huntsman, Jr. be the GOP Nominee for President in 2012?

Huntsman is no conservative Republican. He’s a progressive Republican who has long held that feckless belief that the GOP is too far right and must move to the center to attract new voters – a theory utterly destroyed by the November 2010 mid-term national elections including governor and state house races across the country. Huntman’s RINO credentials include being liberal on social issues, amnesty, and publicly endorsed cap and trade.

A couple of things: 1) Jon Huntsman, Jr. seems a very talented man and can certainly run for President if he wants but let’s not let the media or our opponents choose who our candidate will ultimately be this time. We’re going to get all kinds of names thrown out there by the media and surrogates — just for reaction. Me? I certainly will NOT support a RINO. 2) Conservatism as a style of governance is best. Conservatism across the country is on the rise and this conservative ascendancy hasn’t been about (D)’s or (R)’s and who is “better”. It’s about principles such as individual liberty, limited government, free enterprise, a strong national defense, and traditional American values coupled with the great pushback against the policies of the Obama administration for fear of losing those very principles.

So does Jon Huntsman Jr have a chance at being the GOP nominee in 2012? Who knows. We have a deep bench and that’s great. We need someone who can BEAT Barack Obama. I want that person to be a solid conservative who’s not afraid of the fight that lay ahead. Personally, I’m holding out hope for a Pence/Ryan ticket in 2012.