Jon Huntsman Should Quit

I can't imagine him doing better in South Carolina, but Huntsman's pledged to take the race to the Palmetto State.

At Los Angeles Times, "Huntsman, projected to finish third, says onward to South Carolina." And at National Journal, "Huntsman Surged — But Not Enough":

In the end, Jon Huntsman’s long-awaited surge came too late. After a double-digit gain in the polls, the former Utah governor finished a disappointing third and staggered to less-familiar turf in South Carolina in hopes of saving his campaign. “We’re in the hunt,” he told supporters.

Huntsman gambled his candidacy on New Hampshire, spending almost all of his time and money in the Granite State. He now has few resources—and not much more hope—in South Carolina. Putting a positive spin on the New Hampshire results, the candidate told his supporters on primary night, “I say third place is a ticket to ride!”

Huntsman believed the state’s moderate, independent streak was a good match for his bipartisan resume. But despite moving his headquarters there from Florida in September, the White House hopeful struggled to gain traction until last week. In one of two strong debate performances, Huntsman belittled front-runner Mitt Romney for criticizing his service as U.S. ambassador to China in President Obama’s administration. Crowds at his events had also begun to swell, and he began airing his first official ads of the campaign.

Channeling that momentum to South Carolina, however, could be difficult. He’s visited the state only about 10 times, according to Richard Quinn, his Palmetto State consultant. By contrast, he held roughly 160 public events in New Hampshire, which he turned into his adopted home state in the months before the primary. His infrequent visits raise questions about the quality of the organization that awaits Huntsman when he arrives—he has only four staffers in the state.

More at that link.

I'm still kind of dumbfounded by this man's campaign. What was he thinking? He was going to pull another John McCain in the Granite State? Highly circumspect, to say the least. Anyways, if he drops out now and endorses Mitt he might still have a chance for a choice appointment in a Romney administration. What else is there for him, really?