September 16, 2011 1:03 PM

Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge endorses Jon Huntsman in New Hampshire

By
Lindsey Boerma
Topics
Campaign 2012

Republican 2012 presidential candidate, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, left, with and former Pennsylvania Gov. and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge arrive at St. Anselm College in Manchester N.H., Friday, Sept. 16, 2011.

(Credit: Cheryl Senter)

Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Friday endorsed Jon Huntsman in his bid for the Republican nomination for president, handing Huntsman his first trophy in the endorsement sweepstakes kicked off by Huntsman's GOP rivals earlier this week. Ridge is a popular former governor of Pennsylvania, a presidential battleground state.

Appearing with Huntsman at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, Ridge called the former Utah governor and ambassador to China "the only candidate with demonstrated success at the state, national and international levels." He said that Huntsman "has the unique ability to bring people together, to build consensus around the kind of ideas and the kind of change we need to affect to make America more secure, more prosperous, and more competitive.

"I'm certainly proud to join him on this podium today to publicly announce my strong support and endorsement of a man who I think would be a great president of the United States of America. A great country needs a great leader with a great vision and I think he's standing next to me."

Ridge, who runs the consulting firm Ridge Global in Washington, D.C., was the nation's first secretary of Homeland Security, appointed to the newly created post by President George W. Bush in 2001, after the September 11 attacks. Huntsman said of Ridge, "Tom successfully mobilized our government's efforts to protect our families and loved ones from danger. I look forward to working with him to spread our message of serious, bold solutions across the country."

Ridge left the post in December 2002. He was Pennsylvania governor from 1995 to 2001 and served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 1995.

The announcement was the latest in a series of high-profile gubernatorial endorsements in the race. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who dropped out of the contest last month, endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal have endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Huntsman trails Romney and Perry in the polls, but he said Friday the polls are not necessarily a good indicator of his chances in the state's first-in-the-nation primary. "Ninety percent of the people in this state are undecided," he said. "That tells me something about how deliberative the process here in New Hampshire is. Even with a field of candidates, some of whom have been around here before, I like our chances. I like our position.

"We're just beginning to introduce ourselves to the people of New Hampshire and the people of the United States. Takes a while in this state," Huntsman said as Ridge nodded in agreement.


  • Lindsey Boerma

    Lindsey Boerma covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.

Add a Comment
by verycold September 17, 2011 11:39 PM EDT
I very much wanted to like Huntsman. I really like his dad, but his son often sounds like a flake and frankly rather condescending towards others he is running against. Candidates should stick to their message, and stop degrading others. If their message is a good one they will get notice. What bothered me about Huntsman is that with regards to climate change he refuses to respect others that do not agree with his view of humans in relationship with the climate. I am fine that he sees climate change as induced by man, but NOBODY alive at this point can prove that to be true. The timeframe of assessing man's role is just too short. It wasn't long ago that boomers were being warned that GLOBAL COOLING was on the way. Huntsman also adored Obama and then he didn't. Also insinuating that Romney is more Mormon than he is was rather strange.
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by mikenotz12 September 17, 2011 12:35 AM EDT
I'm afraid republicans are going to do what democrats did last time. Vote rhetoric over substance. Huntsman by far has a better record of accomplishment.
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by NinthSt78 September 16, 2011 5:08 PM EDT
The very positive, friendly approach I see in this article is an enduring quality I very much admire about our former Homeland Security Secretary.
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by dickkahrs September 16, 2011 5:04 PM EDT
Based on what I've heard from all the Republican candidates, I think Jon Huntsman is the best qualified to be President.
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by gwazdos1 September 16, 2011 4:43 PM EDT
Huntsman as i have said several times in an intelligent, level-headed man of great character. Why he is the only real candidate running with the field of wacko's like Perry and Bachman etal. Now u understand why he is not getting attention - brains, skills, background don't count with the people in the field to date.Lies, fear mongering, stretching the truth is their cup of tea! Hunstman is and can be a winner!
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