WASHINGTON (AP) — GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman says the U.S. is a "center-right" country politically and the public is "crying out for a sensible middle ground" — just what he says he offers.
The former Utah governor says his Republican rivals as well as President Barack Obama are on the political "fringes." Huntsman says Obama is too liberal and there are Republican candidates who are too far to the right and have "zero substance."
Huntsman, who's lagging in national polls, saves his harshest criticism for two of the candidates atop the 2012 pack — Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Huntsman also tells ABC's "This Week" that he's optimistic about his chances in 2012 and says voters aren't yet paying close attention to the race.
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