Piers Morgan Sweet-Talks MSNBC Republican Huntsman, Trashes Rest of GOP Field

CNN's Piers Morgan provided some honey-tongued flattery for the liberal media's favorite Republican candidate, John Huntsman, on Wednesday. Morgan lauded Huntsman's foreign policy credentials as "very impressive" and blistered the rest of the GOP field as far less competent.

"Are you frustrated that you are still lagging in the polls when the credentials that you seem to offer at this very challenging time for America, particularly in the international stage, seem so much more impressive than many of your rivals?" Morgan asked, kissing up to the long-shot Republican. [Video below the break. Click here for audio.]

If that wasn't enough of a boon to Huntsman, Morgan then brought on his "delightful" daughters who explained why their dad was so far above the rest of the candidates.

"Well, I think you're a breath of fresh air, I've got to say, to this campaign," he adulated the daughters. "And you certainly bring a bit of much-needed glamour," he added in another shot to the GOP field.

While his daughters were offering their praise, Huntsman was offered this softball by Morgan about the New Hampshire primary: "What is it about you that is going to turn this around? You've put all of your chips, as I said, on this poll. You've got to win there. What is the one thing that is going to drive you past Mitt Romney?

A transcript of the segment, which aired on November 16 at 9:34 p.m. EST, is as follows:

[9:34]

MORGAN: When I hear you talk, Jon Huntsman, about foreign affairs in particular, it's always very impressive. You're smart about it. You're articulate. I even spoke to you once and you talked to me in Mandarin from your time in China.

And then I see someone like Herman Cain, who is still doing pretty well in the polls, certainly doing better than you, actually saying today, after he stumbled about Libya – well he didn't appear to know what Libya was, let alone where it is. And He said today, well I'm not expected to know about foreign policy – which I thought was a breathtaking statement from a man who wants to be president.

Are you frustrated that you are still lagging in the polls when the credentials that you seem to offer at this very challenging time for America, particularly in the international stage, seem so much more impressive than many of your rivals?

(...)

MORGAN: Well let me turn to Mary Anne first. And Mary Anne, I loved that video, and I Tweeted to that effect. So I thought it was very, very entertaining. And I think you are potentially secret weapons for your father. But tell me this, why is it that your father is not getting more support in the polls, do you think? What is it about him that isn't quite firing here? And what can he do about it?

(...)

MORGAN: Well Jon, three great defenses there from your delightful daughters. But when it comes to New Hampshire, when it comes to this big vote, you're not just going to win because you have three appealing daughters, are you? What is it about you that is going to turn this around? You've put all of your chips, as I said, on this poll. You've got to win there. What is the one thing that is going to drive you past Mitt Romney?

(...)

MORGAN: And Mary Anne, in terms of your father's fashion sense, can I ask you a minute – did you color coordinate his – did you color coordinate his shirt and his hair tonight, or not?

MORGAN: I always do. And I will say, I think he got a lot of props for his tie at the last debate; and I actually bought him that tie.

MORGAN: Well, you've also said that the other – on your Twitter, the three of you, you said that the other contestants – the other candidates in that debate all had dodgy haircuts.

LIDDY HUNTSMAN: Do you disagree?

MORGAN: I – it wouldn't be for me to comment. But who had the worst haircut, in your opinion?

LIVINGSTON: We think our dad had the best haircut.

(...)

MORGAN: Well, I think you're a breath of fresh air, I've got to say, to this campaign. And you certainly bring a bit of much-needed glamour. So I thank you Huntsman girls. And I thank you – thank you, Jon Huntsman.