“This race has degenerated into an onslaught of negative attacks not worthy of the American people and not worthy of this critical time,” Huntsman said. “At its core, the Republican Party is a party of ideas, but the current toxic form of our political discourse does not help our cause.”

◼ Jon Huntsman drops out, endorses Mitt Romney - Juana Summers/Politico

“For our nation to move forward together with new leadership and unity, the Republican Party must first unite,” Huntsman said, explaining his support of the former Massachusetts governor.

...And though he’s now switching his support to Romney, Huntsman spent the last few months intensifying his criticism of the former Massachusetts governor and poll leader that’s included swipes at Romney’s own divisive rhetoric and his changing views on issues. Last week in New Hampshire, Huntsman said Romney’s remark about liking to fire people made him “pretty much unelectable.”

◼ Huntsman: A boutique candidacy that didn't sell - Byron York/Washington Examiner

◼ A Fitting Finale to the Huntsman Flop - The Other McCain (video source)

Another consistent theme of Huntsman’s candidacy also continued until its end: His final campaign press conference was lavishly covered by the media. Multiple network cameras, dozens of press photographers and scores of reporters were on hand for the 11 a.m. event in Room 202 of the Sheraton Convention Center on Oak Street. Among the faces I recognized in the media swarm: Byron York of the Washington Examiner, Danny Yadron of the Wall Street Journal, Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Michelle Goldberg of Newsweek and Carl Cameron and John Roberts of Fox News.

Huntsman’s media coverage was always grossly disproportionate to his support among Republican voters. He was the subject of glowing profiles in the mainstream press and treated with deference in network TV interviews. Yet despite his enviable media coverage, Huntsman never got out of the single digits in national polls of likely GOP primary voters. Strangely enough, however, his poll numbers were always deemed minimally sufficient to include him in televised debates.