Despite media enthusiasm for his candidacy, Jon Huntsman has never been a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination. His political positions are too moderate, his persona is too conciliatory, and his service in the Obama administration makes him anathema to most of the Repubican base. To wit, the former Utah governor has never polled above 5 percent among GOP primary voters.
With in mind, it wouldn't be wrong or even premature to read this campaign change as the beginning of the end for Huntsman 2012:
Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman's (R) presidential campaign manager, Susie Wiles, is resigning and will be replaced by communications director Matt David, according to the campaign.
Huntsman is announcing the changes to his staff at a meeting this afternoon.
Obviously, a lot can change between now and the Republican primaries; at this point in 2007, John McCain had lost his campaign manager, chief strategist, and communications director, along with dozens of others. But John McCain had a large constituency within the Republican Party, and was able to minimize his differences with social conservatives and other skeptical activists. Jon Huntsman has an even steeper climb, and I think it’s safe to say that he won’t make it.
