The ad, which was posted on You Tube earlier this week, repeatedly questions Gov. Huntsman's "American values," makes frequent reference to his ability to speak fluent Mandarin and describes him as "China Jon" and the "Manchurian Candidate."
HAF was especially appalled by the ad's reference to Hunstman's adopted Indian daughter, Asha Bharati, who is being raised in her native Hindu faith, insinuating that he does not share American values and is not a "man of faith." Gov. Huntsman, who is a practicing Mormon, is seen in the ad with his daughter wearing a tika, or sacred mark associated with the divine and commonly worn during Hindu ceremonies.
"This deplorable ad is blatantly racist and religiously intolerant, and crosses all lines of acceptable political discourse," said Suhag Shukla, Esq., HAF's Managing Director and Legal Counsel. "Instead of vilifying Governor Hunstman, he should be applauded for being open minded enough to raise his adopted daughter as a Hindu."
"To attack a candidate's family, particularly his young daughters, is completely unacceptable and should be denounced by all Americans," said Samir Kalra, Esq., HAF Director and Senior Fellow for Human Rights.
