Jon Huntsman called Mitt Romney a “perfectly lubricated weathervane,” criticizing the former Massachusetts governor on flip-flopping positions.
“This is when the candidates need to stand up and show a little bit of leadership,
” Huntsman said Friday on CNN.
“You can
’t be a perfectly lubricated weathervane on the important issues of the day, whether it
’s Libya, whether it
’s the debt ceiling, whether it
’s discussion about the Kasich bill in Ohio where Gov. Romney has been missing in action in terms of showing any kind of leadership.
” Huntsman has been trailing in the polls. He’s making a big play to win the New Hamsphire primary as a way to jump start his presidential campaign. Romney leads in the polls in that state.
But Romney has recently come under criticism for not declaring his position on legislation sponsored by Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) that would limit collective bargaining rights in that state. During a Tuesday visit to Ohio, Romney wouldn’t state his stance. He was criticized for that by conservatives, Democrats and rival Rick Perry. He later clarified that he supported Kasich.
“I fully support Gov. Kasich’s Question 2 in Ohio,” Romney said Wednesday. “I’m sorry if I created any confusion there.”
Huntsman suggested in the same interview that moments like those from Romney showed he lacks a strong ability to lead.
“I do believe the electorate this go-around will be looking for clearly defined presidential leadership and I’m not sure that we’re seeing it,” Huntsman said.
Romney has been hit by the flip-flopping charge before. Conservatives and surrogates from President Obama’s campaign have made similiar claims against him.
