Former Obama ambassador and two-time governor of Utah Jon Huntsman is running in the 2012 republican presidential election, yet many people don’t know very much about him on the issues. As rumors spread about a Huntsman run people were quick to paint him as a moderate republican because of his association with the president and his stance on social issues. So exactly where does Huntsman stand on the issues?

Former Obama ambassador and two-time governor of Utah Jon Huntsman is running in the 2012 republican presidential election, yet many people don’t know very much about him on the issues. As rumors spread about a Huntsman run people were quick to paint him as a moderate republican because of his association with the president and his stance on social issues. So exactly where does Huntsman stand on the issues?

While not supporting the pledges that demand that candidates to perform a particular way while in office, he says he needs no such pledge. The first was his refusal to sign the Taxpayers Protection Pledge which is kind of a ‘stop the rhetoric’ and do what you say you will. The former governor says the proof is there that he is already committed to lowering taxes.

Cutting taxes was one of Huntsman’s highlights as governor of Utah and was rated number one of all fifty governors by the libertarian think tank the Cato Institute. While in office he simplified the state tax code and reduced sales tax from 4.4% to 3%. This is something the majority of candidates are talking about doing on a federal level should they beat Obama in 2012.

An advocate of civil unions for homosexuals he isn’t expected to take the social conservative vote and thus is skipping the Iowa Caucuses, yet he claims he is skipping it due to his policy on ethanol. In 2009, just before he was getting ready to serve as ambassador to China in the Obama administration, he supported a 2009 Utah bill that would end the ban on partnerships for gay couples. He doesn’t support gay marriage, but believes it should be up to the states to decide. When asked about New York’s recent legalization of gay marriage he said that he would respect their decision.

Huntsman says he is against abortion and has a strong pro-life record and has supported anti-abortion legislation. In February of 2009 he signed a bill that would make second trimester abortions illegal, a bill requiring parental consent for abortions, a bill that educates women on the pain and procedure of abortion and a bill that created a legal fund for those who have had abortions and are filing lawsuits. All bills were enacted by the Utah legislature and signed by the governor.

Speaking fluent mandarin the governor takes a strong stance on foreign policy saying that we need to work more closely with China as a partner to get them to persuade North Korea to end their nuclear weapons program. Moreover, he is happy with the relations that have developed between Taiwan and China. Having lived in Taiwan for many years when he was younger, he believes he has strong knowledge on fostering a positive outlook in Asia. He is a strong supporter of Israel and visited the region before taking the reigns as ambassador to China. He is against involvement in Libya saying we just can’t afford it and that military operations are expensive and not critical for security.

One thing that’s not clear as of yet is his position on Obamacare, but some say he is a supporter of liberal types of reform. Back in 2007 he spoke of healthcare reform in Utah as being something that will need a mandate and was comfortable with requiring people to be insured. However, after political pressures the mandate was dropped on the bill and now says he is against mandates. The legislation itself did in fact lower taxes and promote the private sector. In a recent statement he said health care reform should focus on market based competition and empower consumers to make their own choices.

On the right to bear arms he gaffed on a radio interview with conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt, saying he would not veto an assault weapons ban. However, he then quickly retracted saying he misunderstood the question and would absolutely veto a bill if it came to his desk. He says he is a big advocate of the second amendment and jokingly referred to his last name as proof of his dedication to preserving hunter’s gun rights.

Many are critical of his decision to skip Iowa and think this could cost him some votes throughout other states. If Huntsman believes he can avoid the religious citizens he is surely mistaken. The impression he may be giving off is that he is not ‘their’ candidate and thus ultimately the religious may not vote for him. During the next 2012 republican presidential debate we will have a clearer idea on where he will position himself.

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