CNN

December 8th, 2011

Huntsman on Gingrich’s poll surge: Reflection of just one segment of the population

CNN’s John King spoke with former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman today about Newt Gingrich’s recent rise in the polls, Pres. Obama’s standing with Americans and more. Two highlights from the interview are below. Tune in to CNN’s John King, USA at 6 p.m. ET today for the full interview.

Highlights from Full Interview
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JOHN KING, HOST:  How do you explain the Newt trajectory?  You have been going up, you’re right.  But he was behind you in New Hampshire not all that long ago and whoom.

JON HUNTSMAN, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, that trajectory and what we’re seeing in terms of the numbers is probably a reflection of just one segment of the population that they’re polling.

You’ve got to remember, it’s an open primary in New Hampshire.  There are a lot of people who want to come out.  A lot of people who are angry at this president.  Independents who want to participate, who are trying to find the right Republican.  They’re not being sampled.

So, I think when all is said and done, we’re going to do just fine.  I can feel it on the ground.  We’ve done 115 town hall meetings and public events.  People are in the marketplace, they’re sorting around, and they’re listening to what the candidates have to say.

…………

JOHN KING, HOST:  So, a fairly tough speech against the two front-runners at the National Press Club.  You say Governor Romney will say anything and that Newt Gingrich was part of the problem, part of the polarization.  Tough words?  Clear contrast?  A lot of people will say where have you been, what took so long?

JON HUNTSMAN, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:  Well, we’ve been talking about the economic deficit, and you can’t have a complete discussion in this country without talking about the second deficit, which is a trust deficit. And I would argue, John, that it’s equally corrosive in this country.  You can’t just handle the economic deficit while leaving the trust deficit untouched.  We need a leader who can actually hit that head on.  It’s going to call — it calls for Congressional reform and it calls for somebody who can take on the banks on Wall Street.

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