The Club for Growth has been examining the 2012 crowd’s fiscal records one by one, and today, they released their analysis of Jon Huntsman’s records. Calling Huntsman a “frustrating political figure,” the Club praised him for how he “pushed for and passed significant pro-growth tax policies,” but disparaged how he “promoted and passed large increases in state spending.”
The Club lambasted Huntsman for saying in that health care was a right, but reserved their harshest rhetoric for his spending record, calling it “inexcusable.”
“There is now widespread recognition that the next President must address the enormous threat posed by federal spending that threatens national bankruptcy,” the Club wrote. “Huntsman’s failing grades on controlling state spending raise serious questions about whether he would be equal to that task.”
“We believe that pro-growth conservatives looking for a kindred spirit in Governor Huntsman will probably find common ground on trade and taxes, but they will most likely be disappointed overall if he is elected President,” the Club concluded.
Huntsman spokesman Tim Miller defended the former Utah governor’s record in an e-mail to the Washington Post.
“Governor Huntsman fiscal management of Utah saw balanced budgets, reduced waste, a rainy day fund that grew by one-third — during a recession — and the largest tax cut in the states history. This fiscal management resulted in Utah growing at more than double the national rate, adding more jobs than any state in the country. That is the kind of economic record that our country needs,” Miller wrote.