Why Would Jon Huntsman Take On This Ambassorship In Russia Given.....

[global1]

all the furor that surrounds the Trump administration with respect to Russia? Why would he subject himself to such controversy?
What am I missing here?

[CrispyQ]

1. Wasn't he touted as one of the more reasonable repubs?

[emulatorloo]

8. He is one of the more reasonable Repubs imho. I have no idea why he would want to get mixed up in

this mess. Other than a misguided idea that he can influence Trump for the better.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Maybe he thinks he can improve things.

Most of Trump's appointees are right morons, but the few that actually have some decent credentials and relevant experience might be trying to keep the sinking ship of state from taking on more water. But Huntsman is kidding himself if he thinks he can do any good, given the fact that SCROTUS will disregard him and do what he wants with the Russians anyhow.

[emulatorloo]

9. I think yr right. Wants to be the sane person in the room. He's definitely kidding himself.

[Golden Raisin]

30. Definitely a fool's errand.

[NewJeffCT]

16. that sounds like a good explanation

Trump tends to disregard/undermine everybody on his staff if it suits his needs at the moment.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. Suppose it is possible he is a RARE republican who cares about the country.

We are days away from being ruled by Putin, so anything helps.

[cilla4progress]

3. I think some like Huntsman

believe (or talk themselves into) that they can be a positive influence on this dysfunctional presidency.

[Tanuki]

4. Maybe he hopes he can do something to avert catastrophe?

Maybe he has been offered the post-impeachment Vice Presidency?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. I think he'll basically be thrust into the same role as Nikki Haley.

He might throw out some tough talk with Russia, to which Trump himself will completely ignore and contradict, but Trump's supporters will point to his statements as "See! The Trump administration can be tough on Russia, ergo no collusion!"

[Me.]

6. Wants To Run In 2020?

[emulatorloo]

10. Then he should run away from any job offered by Trump. He'll forever be tainted by association

[Volaris]

29. Not if if he does the job correctly.

He can be the only appointed member of an administration to NOT be indicted during his time there. That means he will be qualified to help clean up this mess on the messiest end by running the State Dept (it's either that or DOD, if you wanna run for Pres for 2024).

Smart of him, IF he can pull it off. He's one of the few Republicans left that is willing to admit that he's NOT batshit crazy. That carries a lot of water with me nowadays (because the deplorables will, and do, hate him for it).

[H2O Man]

19. Probably.

See post #18.

[jehop61]

7. He wanted to be President

Perhaps he sees an opportunity to gain national attention for another run?

[TheBlackAdder]

11. Yeah, Vlad might appoint him president of the newly annexed United States Russian province.

[oasis]

20. The association with Trump's administration will be a drawback. nt

[tonyt53]

12. Russians DO like to spread their money around, Huntsman likes that perk with the job.

[Samantha]

13. He has an excellent reputation but got nowhere when he ran for President

He is a Republican who believes in climate change....

This should be interesting.

Sam

[NCjack]

14. Probably couldn't say "no" because there is compromat -- e.g., a "golden shower" video. nt

[Jimbo101]

15. In a normal world - Huntsman would have been the Republican nominee

But that's definitely not the world we are currently living in - Bizzaroville

[peggysue2]

17. Jon Huntsman

is one of the rational Republicans. He served in Obama's Administration as our Ambassador to China. Then when he ran for President he was clubbed for speaking fluent Mandarin by fellow GOPers. He's intelligent and not a driven ideologue. For instance, he actually believes in science and Global Warming. Mortal sin for the current crop of Republicans.

He may see this as a way to bring a touch of sanity to a thoroughly disruptive, chaotic Administration. But granted, he's taking a risk not to be swallowed by the Trumpster sinkhole.

[H2O Man]

18. Good question.

Recommended.

In my opinion, it is important to take a brief look at his father's career, both in public and private contexts, from the Nixon administration on. Then look at Jon Jr.'s career. That gives some background to put current events in context.

Trump had mentioned him for this post early on. Obviously, it didn't happen right away. Thus, one should ask exactly the question you raise in the OP.

There are individuals who step out from behind the curtain to serve in various administrations. W. Averell Harriman is a good example, James Baker a more recent one. There are times when they "join" an administration as an insurance policy for the larger interests they represent. I suspect that this is the case here.

[Me.]

22. Aah

Now That makes sense. Care to speculate on those interests?

"Harriman served President Franklin D. Roosevelt as special envoy to Europe and served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union"

[H2O Man]

23. Sure.

There are a couple of "babysitters" in the administration now, not unlike Haig with Nixon. However, Trump has become paranoid when it comes to General McMaster, for but one example. He questions if McMaster is the first one to leak information on when Trump had the two Russians in the Oval Office. Hence, the president avoids conversations with McMaster when it comes to Russia.

Trump has some debts to pay off, most obviously the assistance he got from Russian military intelligence in 2016. Now, Putin is a patient man, but he's not stupid. So he sees that Donald isn't making the promised payments, and is actually becoming less able to do so as his presidency sinks. It is safe to say that some of those promises were discussed in their "second meeting." These include the Ukraine, Syria, and money/property in the US.

Trump is becoming increasingly upset by his inability to repay the types of people that are not pleasant when you do not keep your word. Thus, he's most likely to try to start with the easiest of the three -- Syria. And he may try to sneak in other payments, in terms of not supporting some NATO countries that are trying to combat Russian influence of the same type the Trump campaign was treated to.

What interests make up the "shadow government" have tasked Jon to serve as their "eyes and ears" in Trump's dealings with Russia.

[Me.]

25. That Is More Of An Answer Than I Was Expecting

But such a good one. Brings up so many questions….who else is babysitting, do you think, cause it can't be McMasters? Mattis? Or someone we wouldn't suspect/Wasn’t Putin aware that 45 never pays his debts and stiffs everyone? How far would Putin go? Physical revenge on someone close as a warning? Basically, from what you’re saying, I’d guess 45 is done for. He won’t be able to deliver on a lot of what he seemingly promised. Will Putin release the Kompromat?

And as an aside, after having read parts of the British dossier I think Louise may’ve been right about them having some embarrassing things on Clinton, that are nobody’s business but his. Also, just came from a little do where someone told a recent BC story that was very touching and made me miss him.

[haele]

21. Probably Business. His billions come from Huntsman Corp, an international Chemical company.

Don't forget, most of the GOP political elite are millionaires and billionaires; very few of their decision makers nowadays came up from actual poverty or working class roots.

Haele

[Thrill]

24. He desperately wants to stay relevant

[Motley13]

27. He speaks fluent Mandarin, seems a waste

[Ilsa]

28. I'm guessing he's a patriotic republican, which seems to

be an oxymoron these days.

I'll entertain the idea that he hopes to get promoted or make a buck.

[enid602]

31. Huntsman

If tRump is ousted, Huntsman won't necessarily be fired. Might be a good gig for him. Maybe he can do some good.