Like Chait and Massie, Douthat sees a tough road ahead:
Huntsman doesn’t just have to thread the moderate-as-insurgent needle, he has to do it against a moderate frontrunner whose profile — competence, business experience, Mormonism — is remarkably similar to his own. If Romney were still the candidate of talk radio and Jim DeMint, Huntsman might be able to outflank him in states like New Hampshire by positioning himself as the more electable and more independent-minded candidate. But as it stands, it isn’t clear how a rich handsome well-coiffed Mormon RINO distinguishes himself from the more famous, better-funded rich handsome well-coiffed Mormon RINO who’s currently leading in the polls.
(Photo: Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speak to the media during a press conference at the Million Air FBO March 27, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. By Danny La/Getty Images)
The Dish 