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News involving Sanford, Ensign and Huntsman further complicate the GOP’s 2012 possibilities

The bizarre tale of Gov. Mark Sanford, first involving his disappearance, followed by his admission of an extra-marital affair with a woman in Argentina, has ended any Presidential ambition he may have carried. First and most obvious, any inkling of infidelity eliminates one from contention in the eyes of the right wing Republican base. Second, Sanford is in immediate jeopardy within South Carolina due to questions regarding his possible use of state money to finance his trips to see his mistress. Third, it is fair to question the wherewithal of a state leader who chooses to go AWOL for a few days, lies about his whereabouts and willingly misses the celebration of Father’s Day with his four sons. He also resigned his post as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

 

Sanford had a chance in 2012. His fervent belief in state’s rights and his very public opposition to receiving South Carolina’s share of the President’s economic stimulus package drew a clear line in the sand between him and Mr. Obama. If the economy does not recover by 2012, Sanford was poised to run on the notion that he stood firm against one of the President’s signature domestic policy initiatives.

 

On June 16, Sen. John Ensign announced that he had conducted an extra-marital affair with a campaign staffer, who is the wife of one of his full-time Senate staff members. This announcement took place shortly after Ensign made a trip to Iowa, fueling speculation that he may be looking to lay the ground work for a 2012 Presidential campaign centered on a strong showing in the Iowa Caucus.  

 

Ensign’s greatest 2012 asset was geography. A Senator from Nevada, Ensign would have been in prime position to reverse the movement towards the Democrats that has taken place in the Mountain West states. In 2008, President Obama was victorious in Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. These were all states won by President George W. Bush in 2004.  It could be argued that Mr. Obama may have had a chance in the Republican stronghold of Arizona if he was not running against the state’s favorite son, Sen. John McCain. Ensign could have created a potential problem for Democrats looking to grow from the electoral changes that have taken place in this area of the country. Ensign may not have won the nomination, but he would have been at the top of any nominee’s short list for Vice Presidential candidates. 

Sanford and Ensign join the ranks of former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) in thinking that they can immerse themselves into the national spotlight, knowing full well the indiscretions that exist within their private lives.

On May 16, President Obama nominated Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. to serve as the US’s Ambassador to China. Huntsman speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, conducted his Mormon mission in Taiwan and is the father of a Chinese born adopted daughter. Huntsman has attended trade missions to the region and held a position in the Commerce Department’s Trade Development Bureau during the Presidency of George W. Bush. He also served as ambassador to Singapore under Bush 41. He is extremely well qualified to be the point person regarding our country’s 21^st century relationship with the largest country in the world and its ever expanding economy.

 

President Obama chose Huntsman because of his outstanding resume and because it would take him out of the running for the 2012 nomination. Let’s not pretend that Huntsman was forced into this position. He willingly accepted this all important role. But, it does help Mr. Obama’s reelection chances. Huntsman is a moderate, who did not stand in the way of stimulus money making its way into Utah’s economy. He also possesses more of a centered approach to environmental, healthcare and immigration issues. He could have been the GOP’s moderate candidate, battling against a more hard line Conservative for the nomination. Like Ensign, he also has the geographical asset of living in the West. His immense popularity could have translated to success in many other areas of the country.