Jon Huntsman, We Hardly Knew You

Although he was perhaps the most qualified candidate in the field to do the job of President in the Twenty-teens, and perhaps most able to appeal to moderates, Jon Huntsman's campaign never got off the ground. His third place finish in moderate New Hampshire after putting most of his chips on that primary made it undeniably clear that it wasn't going to get any better.

In another time, with a different Republican electorate, Jon Huntsman may be the right candidate. But not today, not in 2012. It isn't clear what today's Republican electorate wants. There have been enough clear messages that they don't want Mitt Romney, although that is who they are about to nominate, having not found the stomach to vote for anyone else.

Jon Huntsman seems to be a good guy, a smart guy, a guy with substantial international affairs experience, in particular with China, the single most important expanding economic power in the world. However, Jon still hasn't figured out how to master the TV/Internet sound bite, and that might doom his ability to ever ascend to the Presidency.

However, I put him on the short list for a cabinet position if Mitt Romney wins. That might actually be a more important position that would be a better use of his abilities and experience. How does Secretary of State Huntsman sound?