COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor who served as President Barack Obama's ambassador to China until last week, is sounding every bit like a GOP presidential candidate as he visits South Carolina.
Huntsman praised new Gov. Nikki Haley after a visit with her Friday where he noted that unemployment is down since she took office. He also said he's a big fan of mustard-based barbecue, which he said he plans to enjoy after delivering the University of South Carolina commencement address Saturday.
He recently stepped down as U.S. ambassador to China, a job that he said made him "reflect on 21st century competitiveness."
Huntsman said "the view from 10,000 miles away would suggest that unless your economic house is in order, you're going to be irrelevant." He did not participate in Thursday's GOP presidential debate.
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