Iowa Hits Back at Huntsman

Secretary of State Matt Schultz responds in long statement
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 6, 2011 12:37 PM CDT
Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz Hits Back at Jon Huntsman
With his wife Mary Kaye at his side possible 2012 presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman, Jr., of Utah shakes hands during a cultural festival at Heritage Park, Saturday, June 4, 2011 in Berlin, NH.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

It didn't take long for Iowa to hit back at Jon Huntsman. In a long statement obtained by Politico, Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz, himself a Republican and a Mormon, mocks Huntsman's explanation for why he's skipping the state, noting that his "excuse" (he opposes ethanol subsidies) has "as much credibility as 'the dog ate my homework.'"

Further, writes Schultz, "Mr. Huntsman is in need of a lesson in Iowa politics. Iowa is a bellwether state," and the last two presidents won the Iowa caucus. Perhaps, Schultz implies, Huntsman simply doesn't want to explain his positions on other issues, like taking federal stimulus money or distancing himself from his Mormon faith. Writes Schultz, "Mr. Huntsman should know that Iowans elected me as their Secretary of State and my Mormon faith was never an issue." If Huntsman passes on Iowa, concludes Schultz, "he is not ready for the big dance." (More Jon Huntsman stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X