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Huntsman Enters 2012 Race and Campaigns on Civil Union Support

PHOTOS: REUTERS

Former Utah governor and US ambassador to China Jon Huntsman announced his bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination and intention to take on former boss Barack Obama. In a speech with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, Hunstman promised voters a civil campaign that will be focused on "who will be the better President, not who’s the better American."

Watch the announcement AFTER THE JUMP ...

Hunstman is positioning himself as an "unconventional" moderate in an already crowded Republican field, notes BusinessWeek. The former Republican governor is also "seeking support from LGBT Republicans" and hoping to attract independents by his record on LGBT issues in Utah, reports Gay Politics.

"On the domestic front, and as it specifically pertains to our greater LGBT community, Governor and Mrs. Huntsman are particularly supportive of our issues," wrote Charles T. Moran, an openly gay Republican political consultant, in a letter to potential LGBT donors.

Moran was likely referring to a 2009 announcement by the then-governor’s staff that he endorsed a bill that would have provided civil unions for same-sex couples in Utah, a move that shocked the political establishment at the time. He also supported laws banning employment and housing discrimination against LGBT Utahns, according to the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder.

While Hunstman has been steadfast in his opposition to marriage equality and abortion rights, he’s refused to back off these more moderate stances on LGBT issues as he gears up for a presidential run. In efforts to talk about his support for civil unions with socially conservative groups, Huntsman’s operatives say his views allign with those of former President George W. Bush. The campaign has not addressed whether that includes amending the U.S. Constitution to outlaw marriage for same-sex couples, an effort Bush supported.

Huntsman is skipping the social conservatives-dominated Iowa Republican caucus. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won that contest in 2008

And in what could possibly be interpreted as a reflection of Huntsman's perceived viability, his official announcement today "drew the first direct response from the Obama campaign to any new GOP presidential contender," reports ABC News.

Watch the announcement AFTER THE JUMP ...

SPORNO: Olympic Hurdles Hotness David Oliver in Shanghai

PHOTOS: AP

It had to end sometime. David Oliver reacts after finishing second and losing his 18-race win streak in the 110-meter hurdles to Chinese phenom Liu Xiang at the Shanghai Diamond League. Oliver won the bronze medal in that event at Beijing 2008.

David Oliver has not lost an outdoor 110-meter hurdles event since August 2009. Definitely looks like he is eating all of his spinach. A few photos from the race WHEN YOU JUMP ...

SPORNO: Asafa Powell in "Top" Shape and Wins 100M in Shanghai

PHOTOS: AP

Jamaican sprinting sensation Asafa Powell—the former "Fastest Man in the World" well known for his speed and, ahem, "bulging" muscles—won the Men's 100M at the Shanghai Diamond League in 9.95 seconds.

Powell injured his hamstring two weeks ago at a Kingston race and was "limping home in last place," reports Super Sport. Looks like he's recovered very nicely.

American Michael Rodgers was second and Jamaica's Mario Forsythe was third. A few more photos and watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...

Counterfeit Condom Distributor Sentenced to 37 Months

More on a story briefly mentioned yesterday on R20. A federal judge sentences a New York City man to 37 months in prison after trafficking in more than a million counterfeit Trojan condoms and "callously...put[ting] a lot of people at high risk", reports the Wall Street Journal. 

Jian “Jimmy” Wang, an American citizen who emigrated from China, received the sentence in Brooklyn federal court from Judge Brian Cogan. He is the first of seven defendants to be sentenced. Six others were charged, and five from the group  have pleaded guilty. The remaining defendant is at large in China. The six-year counterfeiting scheme was uncovered after the knockoff condoms were tested and found to be underperforming, according to court papers. Magnum brands were smaller than they should have been, ribbed models had no ribs, and spermicide condoms had no spermicide. The condoms were imported from China, according to court papers. “This defendant rather callously, in exchange for money, was willing to put a lot of people at high risk,” Judge Cogan said during the sentencing.

Even non-counterfeit condoms can be faulty but these were even more so. The "condoms were made in unsanitary conditions, lubricated with vegetable oil, and packaged in plastic wrappers rather than the foil packaging used for authentic Trojan brand condoms," reports EDGE.