Huntsman and Gingrich to debate in New Hampshire

By Richard K. Barry

Although GOP hopeful Jon Huntsman isn't interested in a debate moderated by professional goofball Donald Trump, he does have to find other creative ways to get himself into the game. So Huntsman has decided that it makes sense to go one-on-one against the most recent candidate to take over the lead position in the race: Newt Gingrich. 

As Tommy Christopher reports at Mediaite:

In an email to reporters, the Huntsman campaign announced it had accepted an invitation to a Lincoln-Douglas style debate with current frontrunner Newt Gingrich, to be held in New Hampshire. Huntsman campaign manager Tim Miller also twisted the knife into Trump and rival Mitt Romney a little more.

This certainly is a significant gamble for Gingrich, who has tried to paint himself as the smartest person in the room amongst the Republican candidates, and a significant coup for Huntsman, who needs to find a way, any way, to get noticed.

Huntsman is putting all his eggs in the New Hampshire primary basket, and this debate will likely be such an oddity that all eyes are likely to be on it. 

Don't really know what's in it for Newt, besides the fact that he's so full of himself he will take any opportunity to prove he is the serious contender in the race. And a debate with Huntsman, a guy a lot of people think is intellectually substantial, may help him make the case -- assuming he does well. 

It would be great to see Newt brought low by his own hubris. I'm just really not sure Huntsman can get the job done.

Here's the press release from Huntsman's campaign announcing the event. Nice shots at Romney and Trump indeed.

Manchester- Jon Huntsman for President today announced that Governor Huntsman will be participating in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate with Newt Gingrich in New Hampshire this month. Details pending negotiations with the Gingrich campaign.

In addition, our campaign is declining the invitation to participate in the Donald Trump Apprentice Debate on December 27th.

Campaign spokesman Tim Miller issued the following statement:

"We look forward to discussing the issues that matter to the American people in a serious, substantive debate with Speaker Gingrich later this month. It is telling that Governor Romney has declined to participate because this substantive format makes it hard for him to hide from his record.

In addition, we have declined to participate in the 'Presidential Apprentice' Debate with The Donald. The Republican Party deserves a serious discussion of the issues so voters can choose a leader they trust to defeat President Obama and turn our economy around. We are confident that leader will be Jon Huntsman."

At last, something to write about Huntsman. It's been a long time. 

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)