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Huntsman criticizes Romney for ‘firing’ comment

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January 10, 2012|By Shira Schoenberg

Jon Huntsman spoke to reporters prior to a campaign stop in Concord,, N.H.… (Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty…)

CONCORD, N.H. - Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman is continuing his attack on New Hampshire frontrunner Mitt Romney, picking up on a comment Romney made today at a New Hampshire event about firing people.

Speaking in Nashua, Romney was touting a health care approach that would allow people to purchase their own insurance, which would give companies an incentive to keep their customers healthy.

“It also means that if you don’t like what they do, you can fire them,” Romney said. “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me. If someone doesn’t give me the good service I need, I want to say, you know, I’m going to go get someone else to provide that service to me.”

Romney, who has touted his image as a businessmen but has struggled to relate to everyday people, is already coming under fire for the comments.

Huntsman, speaking to reporters before a rally with supporters at Eagle Square, said, “Governor Romney enjoys firing people. I enjoy creating jobs.”

Asked about the significance of Romney’s comments, Huntsman said, “It may be that he’s slightly out of touch with the economic reality playing out in America right now, and that’s a dangerous place for somebody to be.”

Huntsman and Romney have also butted heads over the last couple of days over comments Romney made at a Saturday debate, criticizing Huntsman for working for President Obama as ambassador to China. Huntsman responded in a Sunday debate that he believes in putting his country first. The Huntsman campaign turned Huntsman’s response into a TV ad, entitled “Country First.” The ad will air today and tomorrow. Campaign spokesman Michael Levoff said the campaign raised $100,000 within a few hours to air the ad.

Huntsman continued the same line of attack on the trail today. “It’s become abundantly clear over the last couple of days what differentiates Governor Romney and me. I will always put my country first. It seems that Governor Romney believes in putting politics first.”