A YouTube video questioning the loyalties of Republican U.S. presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman is stirring up a hornet's nest about the video's origins. Pictured at the Dec. 15 debate. UPI/Eric Gay/Pool | License Photo
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- A YouTube video questioning the loyalties of Republican U.S. presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman is stirring up a hornet's nest about the video's origins.
Titled "Jon Huntsman's Values," the scratchy, jerky video includes Huntsman speaking Mandarin Chinese, video of his adopted Chinese and Indian children, and text questioning whether his loyalties are with the United States. Oriental-sounding music is playing in the background and there is no voiceover speaker. The video closes with: "American Values and Liberty. Vote Ron Paul."
Advertisement
Nothing in the video indicates its origin, but Huntsman, appointed by President Obama as the U.S. ambassador to China, has asked GOP candidate Ron Paul to disavow the video, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
YouTube user NHLibert4Paul posted the spot Wednesday and the video does not claim to be from Paul's official campaign or from a Paul supporter, for that matter.
"Ron Paul is the only authentic conservative in this race, and the only one capable of bringing authentic change to Washington. He is the only sole alternative to flip-floppers responsible for the costly mistakes of the past. Jon Huntsman claims to be a conservative -- claims to love America -- but the real story is his true values and whom his love is really for. It is time for a return to constitutional government -- not for a furthering of an anti-American government."
Advertisement
One viewer said the footage showing Huntsman doing his job while calling him anti-American is "the stupidest thing I've ever seen. … Whoever made this video is the problem with America ... a short-sighted moron who doesn't understand the definition of an ambassador or his own message for that matter."
Among the comments posted beneath the video was one saying the clip was a "false flag against Ron Paul. People, be discerning. The News media is trying to say this is from Ron Paul's camp. It's not."
Another commenter said the video was an example that "in the new American fascist theocracy that is spreading across our Nation, even speaking another language is reason for suspicion."
More than one comment blamed the video on the Huntsman campaign or a Huntsman supporter, with one poster saying the clip would remain on YouTube until "Huntsman has squeezed every last drop of faux outrage on the national media."
One commenter said Huntsman made the video "to make Ron Paul look bad," while another said, "Nice smear job against Ron Paul."