Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman called America's national debt a "national security problem" in a speech to USC business school students Wednesday afternoon.
"When you have 15 trillion in debt, when you have 80, 90 percent debt to GDP as a ratio, that's not a debt problem that's a national security problem," he said. "We are about to hand this over to you."
Huntsman's message to a standing room only crowd at the Darla Moore School of Business was heavy on economic policy -- a speech tailored to the college students who will be looking for jobs soon.
"I want to be the president who launches a manufacturing renaissance in the greatest market that ever was right here at home," Huntsman said. "That's called earning your way forward.."
Huntsman skipped the Iowa caucuses to campaign exclusively in New Hampshire, where he finished third behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. But he called the results "a ticket to ride" to South Carolina, and has promised to compete here.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am an optimist -- or I wouldn't be standing here in front of you," he said, which got a laugh from the crowd.
Some students challenged Huntsman on the policies of Ron Paul, including the Texas congressman's wish to eliminate the federal reserve.
"I have great respect for Ron Paul. I disagree with him on this one," Huntsman said, adding he thinks the federal government should audit the federal reserve instead.
Huntsman has been criticized by some Republicans for leaving the governorship of Utah to take a job in Democratic President Barack Obama's administration as ambassador to China. But Huntsman said that's because he puts his country over politics.
"Some in this race who say it's better to put politics first. If you believe in putting politics first, I'm not your guy," he said. "I believe we as a people need d to start focusing on closing the divide that keeps us from working together as Americans."
