Huntsman Coming Out

At Gamecock commencement, GOP hopeful defends China post as public service, is Reaganesque on American greatness, and quotes lyrics from "one of" his "favorite bands," Ben Folds Five.

Your generation will have your own unique set of circumstances that make you feel like your future has somehow been derailed. Wars, economic recessions, social upheaval, revolutions around the globe...and yet, in each case, we recover, learn lessons and become ever more resilient.

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. 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.

Hold on to that sense of optimism. Hold on to that belief in your future. Our free and open society that can respectfully embrace debate, coupled with a free market system that rewards risk and innovation, is still the envy of the world. We are still as full of potential as ever.

Just remember... When the oppressed are fighting autocratic regimes, they look to America for inspiration.

When overseas entrepreneurs build companies, they still look to U.S. practices as the gold standard.

When young people around the world want to attend the best colleges and universities they travel here.

When playwrights, filmmakers and the creative classes abroad dream, their imaginations are fueled by America’s example.

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Our system needs new thinking. We need a fresh generation of innovators, leaders, risk takers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists -- That's you!
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Give back. As much as you’re able. Work to keep America great. Serve her, if asked. I was, by a president of a different political party. 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.

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Never forget how lucky you are to be sitting here in America today. Even with student loans, and maybe a little uncertainty about your future. We live in the greatest most freedom-loving place on earth. Embrace it.

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One of my favorite bands is Ben Folds Five. I love this lyric: "I don't get many things right the first time. In fact, I am told that a lot. Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here. And I know that I am the luckiest."