Huntsman on Rebuilding U.S. 'Manufacturing Muscle'

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Time for our America's asking segment -- our guest today is Republican presidential candidate John Huntsman now you'll find him in the back of the pack there.

In this -- latest a PG -- -- showing with about 15%.

But He says things can change in a hurry.

Joining us now in America's election headquarters former Utah governor Jon Huntsman.

Who is here as well taking your questions governor could heavier if they are being -- with -- -- so what so what about those numbers.

Well the numbers don't mean a thing at this early stage where were involved in the -- -- reality of presidential primary politics and then you get down to where people actually.

Vote they cast a vote in the early primary and caucus states in this closer we get to New Hampshire which shall be.

The end of this year and early next year people start to focus on candidates.

And the messages that there -- and ultimately -- electable all right speaking of New Hampshire you sent out a fairly blistering letter to former New Hampshire governor.

John Sununu.

You don't like the fact that He has endorsed Mitt Romney and and you say hey look we were we worked together under the first Bush Administration.

We served the first President Bush together.

What are you -- your endorsement to Mitt Romney -- assessment paraphrase this and -- get a good governor can do whatever He wants I just wanted to set the record straight in terms of him.

Jumping behind governor Romney saying that He was looking for conservative -- say.

There's not a whole lot conservative in terms of where governor Romney has been over the years and I wanted to point out where I have been in terms of being a conservative governor of the state of -- Pro life pro Second Amendment largest tax cuts in the history of the state.

I thought since He -- basically said He was in favor of finding a conservative.

That I would go on record and and set it straight so why do you think Romney is doing so well at the top of these polls well he's been -- -- for six years people who -- for six years and who have basically -- a lot of money and a different congressional districts over the last five to six years.

Definitely have a head start.

But that's where New Hampshire is critically important that's -- New Hampshire is the leveling effect and politics.

You worked the streets you -- the -- you were the town hall meetings and ultimately people have to hear your message and it has to resonate with those people and -- it does.

They'll support you so we've gone from zero.

So low double digits now -- New Hampshire and I'd like exactly where we're headed.

And OK so then the message that you are taking to New Hampshire and elsewhere we can rebuild our manufacturing muscle in this in this country.

We can create jobs and get back to where this country was great.

Expanding our industrial base when I was born in 1960.

We exported three dollars for every two bucks we imported.

We -- we -- 36% of the world's GDP 25% of our GDP was based on manufacturing today it's nine.

If we wanna get this country working again if we wanna create jobs if we -- -- create that international economic might that were so capable of doing.

It's -- start -- manufacturing that means the environment in which we operate economically must be competitive I did at the stadium top.

We cut taxes we create the most business friendly state in America we tripled our rainy day fund gave people the largest tax cut in history became the number one job creator -- America.

The same thing needs to happen in this country -- -- ambassador to China do you believe that China is manipulating its currency -- -- are manufactured it's been manipulate it's currency for a long time all right so how do you -- -- that if you -- president -- -- -- president Huntsman deal -- -- -- come down.

Some 30% over the last many years and will continue coming down not because we're putting pressure on them but because the Chinese themselves see -- in their interest.

To get a market based currency they're moving from an export model.

To a consumption model you're not advocating letting them just do it themselves -- sit behind closed doors and you negotiate which you need some leverage when you negotiate you need a strong economy.

And that's why I've advocated this country needs to get back on his feet economically for us to have the leverage internationally that we -- today.

The Chinese respect strength.

We -- -- economy we have expect we have asked our viewers for some questions.

Preston Tucker wants to know what's your stance on the drug war.

Well the drug war.

Is something we have to it particularly as it relates to Mexico we must step up our efforts and I like what we did in Colombia.

We have a Columbia plus program there was military to military it was law enforcement to law enforcement I -- as -- gets closer to -- doorstep in Mexico.

With the narco traffickers there and with the corruption that is endemic and -- in Mexico we need at Columbia plus life program in Mexico.

And that stepping up our military to military ties and stepping up our law enforcement ties in Mexico.

That's where plays out and I think we need to be vigilant and we need to be hard hitting and -- Kaczynski wants to know what you what types of ideas -- bring to reform social security and Medicare to make them sustainable.

Well first of all on Social Security we have to take the underlying assumptions for inflation.

And we have to -- that too real wage growth as opposed to the Consumer Price Index that alone would do a whole lot on the balance sheet.

Second of all we have to remember we're living three decades longer its people than somebody born in 19100 so 1935.

The average length the life was sixty.

You know 62 years He worked for forty years and you took out a couple years it was a pretty good deal so let's take the retirement age and push -- back.

To the 85 through the 87 percentile -- -- slip up like you do those two things and means testing on top of that.

And you can bring Social Security -- yesterday.

One viewer who identifies himself as the American wants to know how much money of your own you're willing to spend on your campaign.

Well we put it a little bit you know get things going -- to keep it running.

And it will come in from the outside that's was most most important you have a winning message and if it connects with people they will invest in your constant.

-- fund raising is gonna 250%.

Since we started moving in the polls in New Hampshire.

And you expect that you will do very well in New Hampshire can you win New Hampshire this despite.

You know.

You can do you can do what ever your work allows you to do New Hampshire if you work hard of course you can when He captured -- -- very hard.

Patricia require McCracken wants to know what would you do about immigration I presume that means illegal immigration.

And second question how would you cut government.

They'll it illegal immigration is good legal and remember -- that part we gotta get right to.

Illegal immigration the most important -- this country can do right now is to secure the border we can even have a straight face conversation about.

Illegal immigration without taking the first most important step -- -- -- securing the border that's secure the border it's you know.

18100 miles we've got the third of -- already done between boots on the ground in technology and fencing we can basically.

I think prove the point that we can take that first very important step for the American people.

And cutting government does the size of government need to be cut in this country where -- can start of course it does we need a balanced budget amendment I had a bite we had a balanced budget amendment as governor I had to respect that every time I put a budget together.

So we need 19%.

Of GDP that's allocated to spending -- supposed the unsustainable 24%.

That's only gonna come about.

If we enact the kinds of cuts that congressman Paul Ryan is advocated in the Ryan plan.

Stripping out you know six trillion dollars over the next ten years having everything on the table that includes entitlements that includes Department of Defense.

And scaling down.

The percentage of our GDP that's allocated to government.

Just completely doable are you having -- on the campaign trail what we've Richard your wife and your family in -- and Alice you guys haven't -- you can get worn out F.

In -- this is a labor of love and when you're doing it for.

That's when you're doing it for a country you feel so strongly about it never get worn out -- two boys who Wear the uniform of the United States and I say if they can do what they're doing I can do this.

I have one of those myself governor -- it's good to have you and judgment -- it's a pleasure thank you.

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Huntsman on Rebuilding U.S. 'Manufacturing Muscle'

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