Jon Huntsman Announces in Exeter, NH

Last Tuesday, June 21st Former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman kicked-off his formal bid to the presidency first in Liberty State Park in New Jersey and then in Exeter, New Hampshire at the Town Hall. It was quite the production. Outside the hall, a crew from the Manchester Red Arrow Diner were grilling burgers and hot dogs for attendees. They were stocked with plenty of t-shirts, buttons and pins for volunteers (including some friends of mine from UNH College Republicans) to hand out during the day. The crowd must have been at least 300 around 1:30pm, about a half hour before Huntsman would arrive. The announcement attracted a hoard of local and national media outlets as well.

Inside Exeter Town Hall:



They even had a live band prime the crowd while Huntsman was still in the air and rocked the hall when he finally appeared.

His full speech:




After the speech was over, he came down and walked around the floor of the Town Hall, I took the opportunity to question him on states' rights and marijuana policy. I feel that this question distinguishes a true conservative from an authoritarian in that a conservative will oppose federal intervention in state laws whereas an authoritarian will choose to use federal authority to instill his or her will on society. Huntsman answered; he said he "would let states decide" on the issue: