Huntsman quits, endorses Romney

Jon Huntsman has suspended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination while calling for his party to stop making negative attacks against one another. Huntsman then threw his support behind Mitt Romney.

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC (Catholic Online) - The former Utah governor and US ambassador to China has remained at the bottom of the Republican presidential polls, and was never considered a strong contender for the nomination. Rather than continue spending money on an increasingly expensive -- and negative campaign, Huntsman ended his run.

Huntsman had trouble gaining traction with Republican voters. Like Romney, Huntsman is a Mormon. Early in the race, he endorsed the teaching of evolution in schools, and also served in Obama's administration as ambassador to China. Some have publicly doubted his conservative credentials. 

Despite these issues, Huntsman managed to place third in New Hampshire, behind Romney and Paul, but the finish was not strong enough to change what is becoming the apparent outcome of the race. 

Huntsman's endorsement of Romney, a fellow Mormon, will also provide a boost to his campaign which is beginning to gather steam again following its win in New Hampshire.

Huntsman's departure reduces the Republican field to just five candidates. Romney remains in the lead, while Gingrich and Paul contend for second place. Rick Santorum is seen as a credible candidate, but it is unlikely that he will experience the same surge of support as he enjoyed in Iowa where he campaigned most heavily. Texas Governor, Rick Perry, once the Republican favorite has been in a steady decline since his poor performances in the first Republican Presidential debates. 

Rumors abound that if Perry doesn't show well in South Carolina, he too will be the next to quit. However, Perry has been making a strong effort to win the state and affect a comeback.

As Huntsman ended his bid, he also called for an end to the near-constant barrage of attack ads his fellow Republicans have been airing in an effort to secure the state for themselves. Not only are the ads annoying voters with their harsh tone and frequency, but they are undermining support for the future winner, support which will have to coalesce behind the eventual candidate who will take on Obama.

Also, the money being spent on the ads is substantial, and every dollar spent in South Carolina is one less for the fight against Obama. 

Huntsman himself has previously attacked Romney on the grounds that he changes his mind with the political climate, but he did not reference those comments in his announcement today. 

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