SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Watch out Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman may be gaining on you.
While Romney remains ahead in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, Huntsman - for the first time - is attracting bigger crowds and money.
Not only is Huntsman showing signs of life in New Hampshire, he may be doing it at Romney's expense.
When Mitt Romney criticized Jon Huntsman for serving as President Obama's Ambassador to China,
Huntsman saw an opportunity and took it.
Huntsman said,
"I put my country first. Governor Romney puts politics first."
Huntsman suddenly finds himself in third place in New Hampshire polls.
Not only are his events now attracting hundreds, he just had his single biggest fund-raising day.
And Monday, Romney gave Huntsman another opening, that when Romney said he likes firing people,
"I like being able to fire people who provide services to me."
In New Hampshire, in his old Utah governor's bomber jacket, Huntsman is now looking and sounding more like the Commander-in-Chief.
And his number one target is Romney.
Huntsman said,
"Governor Romney enjoys firing people, I enjoy creating jobs."
So, Tuesday night, it's not just a question of who wins - that's still expected to be Romney.
But also keep your eye on who finishes second and third and how close Huntsman can come to Romney.
FOLLOW CHRIS VANOCUR ON TWITTER: @ cvan
