Huntsman gives first public speech since leaving Obama administration
Recommend
Huntsman referred to his experience in China throughout the commencement address. While other potential candidates have spoken about the decline of American exceptionalism over the past few months, Huntsman told students to hold on to their optimism because there were better days ahead.
"I know there are many in China who think their time has come, that America's best days are over. ... And, there are probably some in this country who have lost confidence and think that China is the next big thing," Huntsman said during his 20 minute address. "But these people aren't seeing things from my earlier vantage point of 10,000 miles away. The way I saw it from overseas, America's passion remains as strong today as ever."
Huntsman, who has not yet announced his future plans, encouraged students to take any opportunity to give back to the country and serve the greater good.
"Serve her, if asked. ... I was, by a president of a different political party,"said Huntsman. " But in the end, while we might not all be of one party, we are all part of one nation, a nation that needs your generational gift of energy and confidence."
Huntsman resigned his position as ambassador late last month and has spent the last week putting together staff and a fundraising apparatus should he decide to launch a bid.
While there were several formal events within the South Carolina Republican Party over the past few days -- including the first GOP presidential debate, a major fundraising dinner and the state convention, the former Utah governor remained largely behind the scenes.
Huntsman arrived in South Carolina Friday and met private that afternoon with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in her State House office.
There he told CNN, "I wouldn't want to suggest that there is a timeline other than to say that things are moving pretty quickly. Whatever timeline one is looking at can't be more than a couple months."
