Huntsman talks China, presidential bid

By Amanda MacDonald     2/7/13 6:00pm

 

Former Governor of Utah, U.S. Ambassador to China and candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination Jon Huntsman donned a pair of cowboy boots to speak at the Baker Institute Student Forum Thursday, Jan. 31. 

Prompted by questions from the audience and from moderator Allen Matusow, director of academic affairs at the Baker Institute, Huntsman shared his viewpoint on a range of topics. 

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Huntsman, who is fluent in Chinese, reflected on his multiple trips overseas as U.S. ambassador to China. 

"It's a wake-up call to live somewhere else for a while and to see how they're preparing for the 21st century," Huntsman said. "I wish every member of Congress could experience it." 

When asked about his opinions on the many complications facing the U.S.-China relationship, Huntsman said he is optimistic that with the right approach, the two powers could successfully work together on many issues, from medicine to the environment. 

"We [the U.S. and China] have a marriage, and divorce is not an option," Huntsman said. "There is no global issue today that does not somehow run through the U.S.-China relationship." 

Despite identifying as a Republican, Huntsman said some of his views differed from his party, such as his take on immigration policy reform. He said that while serving as governor of Utah, he embraced many proposals that gave illegal immigrants greater equality and opportunities. 

"If young kids were brought here with no say in the journey or its consequences, and they've gone to our schools and done well, they should qualify like anyone else for tuition," Huntsman said. 

Huntsman said comments such as these hurt him during the Republican primary but that he stands by his convictions. 

"Immigration is always seen as a security issue," Huntsman said. "We need to also start seeing it as an economic issue - here is a chance for an infusion of new brainpower and new ideas into our economy." 

McMurtry College sophomore Becky Satterfield said she supported much of what Huntsman had to say. 

"With his views on things like immigration and clean energy, it's interesting to me that he wants to stick with the Republican Party," Satterfield said. 

During the question-and-answer session, another student asked Huntsman about his loyalties to the Republican Party. Huntsman said he believed in small government, with most of the power delegated to the states. He also said he believed in the historical, traditional values of the Republican Party. 

"Equality under [the] law, dignity of the individual, conservation, education - these are all values [that] originally come from the Republican Party," Huntsman said. 

Huntsman said he recognized that his party will need to make some changes if it hopes to regain a broad base of support. 

"[The Republican Party] is in a silo," Huntsman said. "We're speaking in partisan terms. We've got to do something soon to create an inclusive, visionary platform." 

In a self-deprecating quip, Huntsman reflected on his experience during the Republican primary debates. 

"I remember looking around the stage and thinking 'In a country of [313] million smart, decent people, this is the best we can do?'" Huntsman said. "We are only as good as the people we put forward." 

Huntsman said the students in the audience were in a perfect position to someday assume roles of responsibility and make a change. 

"You should be proud of where you sit," Huntsman said. "The networking and opportunities available to you are unrivaled. Knowing that, you should feel a responsibility to carry something forward." 

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