Jon Huntsman: 'I'm not running as an independent'

Via First Read:

"I'm not running as an independent. I'm not running as an independent," Huntsman told reporters after a town hall meeting this morning. "I don't know how many times I have to say that."

This is the first time Huntsman appeared to completely rule out a run outside the Republican Party, and it's his most definitive answer to date. Previously, the former ambassador to China seemed to leave the option open, saying he was running in the GOP and planned to win the Republican nomination.

"I've been a lifelong Republican. I expect to be the nominee, and that's how we are going to resolve it," Huntsman said, ducking the question in Londonderry on Friday evening.

It sounds like more of a sweeping statement than it is - after all, Huntsman is not running as an independent right now. He didn't say he wouldn't be down the road, however, or rule it out for the future.

And Charlie Crist, he of the "third way" campaign in Florida last year, also adamantly protested he was running as a Republican...until he filed papers as an independent.