(KCPW News) Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman addressed entitlement reform leading up to his appearance at the GOP presidential debate tonight in New Hampshire. Speaking on NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook, Huntsman said cutting entitlement spending would require a “shared sacrifice.”
“There are a lot of people in the higher-income categories that don’t need Social Security, and I would point that out,” he said. “When it comes to Medicare reform, there are a whole lot of people in the upper-income category who don’t need Medicare, they’re the first ones who will stand up and probably say that.”
However, Huntsman did not endorse a tax hike on the wealthy during the program.
When asked about the Occupy Wall Street protests happening across the country, the former governor and diplomat indicated some support for the movement, pointing to what he observed as Ambassador to China.
“Now, you can’t gather on street corners in China. You can’t create organized demonstrations in China. You can in this country, and may it always be that way,” said Huntsman. “And I have to say that some of what they’re talking about, a lot of Americans, I think, are sympathetic with. Trillions and trillions of dollars spent, with nothing to show for it in terms of any uplift in our economy.”
Huntsman declined to identify himself as politically moderate during the interview, but noted the bipartisan support he received as Utah governor.
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