US election 2012: Jon Huntsman drops out with parting shot at ‘toxic’ Republican race

He said that “the current toxic forum of our political discourse doesn’t
help our cause” and called on the remaining five candidates to cease
attacks on eachother. He added that the Republican party must return to
being “a party of ideas”.

Mr Romney was not present at the event and his campaign is unlikely to be
thrilled by Mr Huntsman’s lukewarm endorsement, that he supported his rival “despite
our differences and the space between us on some of the issues.”

The campaign showcased many moment of personal animosity between the two men,
who share the Mormon faith and the suspicion of many grassroots Republicans.
Both come from a more moderate tradition within the Republican party, more
comfortable with economic policy
than social conservativism.

Mr Huntsman, who speaks Mandarin and served as US
ambassador to China, entered the race in the summer to high expectations
that his foreign policy credentials and presidential demeanor would make him
a real challenger to Mr Romney.

Within weeks, Mr Huntsman announced he would skip Iowa and stake his candidacy
in New Hampshire in the hope that the Granite State would reward his
independence and willingness to break from party orthodoxy.

But in last week’s primary he finished a disappointing third place, unable to
take Ron Paul, the libertarian Congressman from Texas, and falling a full
20-points behind Mr Romney.

On the night he declared that top three finish had given him “a ticket to
ride” but the podium-finish in New Hampshire failed to translate into
any any real momentum in the more conservative South Carolina, where he
rarely polled above five per cent.

By Friday he had begun discussing the possibility of dropping out with his
family and a close circle and on Sunday night the decision was briefed to
the press.

Last night his campaign discreetly removed its anti-Romney videos from its
website and Youtube
account
.

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