Huntsman’s New Hampshire strategy: ‘Speak from the heart’

MANCHESTER — Jon Huntsman stopped by his Manchester headquarters Saturday afternoon to drop off chicken tenders for his supporters and rally his troops.

The former Utah governor, who is counting on a strong performance in Tuesday’s primary to give his campaign some much needed momentum, thanked staff and saw off volunteers, who preparing to go knocking on doors.

{mosads}Upon leaving, he got into the driver’s seat of his black SUV with his wife, Mary Kaye, in the passenger’s seat.

He did stick his head out the window to answer questions from the media.

Asked why he was driving, Huntsman said, “You can either drive or you can sit in one of the those tacky buses with your picture on it.”

As for his strategy for Saturday night’s debate, he said, “You’ve got to be yourself and speak from the heart.”

Huntsman was at his headquarters less than 15 minutes, arriving early and leaving around the time he was scheduled to arrive, which meant some supporters and media missed him.

Spokesman Tim Miller said the former governor was off to do interviews and other campaign events.

Asked if it was normal for Huntsman to drive himself, Miller joked, “The drivers are all knocking on doors. We need all the help we can get.”

Huntsman skipped Iowa’s caucuses in favor of campaigning in New Hampshire and is in a battle for third place, according to a Suffolk University poll out Saturday. Mitt Romney maintains a strong lead with Ron Paul in second.

Miller was cautiously optimistic about his candidate’s chances. “Polls are all over the place but I think we’ve moved in the right direction,” he said.

After Huntsman left, a band of about 20 supporters took off to canvass the area, carrying red “Huntsman for President” signs.

The grassy area dividing the city’s streets are filled with signs for all the candidates, but Huntsman’s stand out — given that his are red while the other candidates’ all have blue signs.

His headquarters are on Elm Street, one of the main thorough-fares in Manchester and the street where most of the candidates’ have their New Hampshire offices.

There was a street-fair type atmosphere in the air as Saturday was a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the 40s. Camera crews walked up and down Elm, while supporters waved signs for their candidate of choice.

On the corner of Elm and Granite, one of the main intersections, Paul supporters stood on one corner, facing off with Romney supporters on the other with each side trying to outdo the other in terms of shouting and waving signs.

About 50 Occupy protesters have taken up residence in Victory Park, holding up signs that read: “Occupy New Hampshire Primary” and “Republicans are for the rich.”

One of the more interesting sights: three men on horseback riding up and down Elm Street, waving Ron Paul flags, passing two teenagers, holding Buddy Roemer signs.