If you’ve been hankering for some thoughtful commentary from PRRI’s CEO, Dr. Robert P. Jones, look no further than his latest article for the CNN Belief Blog.  Jon Huntsman isn’t doing so well in the 2012 GOP primary, but Dr. Jones predicts that given where younger Republicans stand on issues like same-sex marriage, evolution and climate change, and Biblical literalism, a Huntsman-esque campaign could be the model for Republican candidates in a few election cycles.  Read an excerpt here, and then head over to the CNN Belief Blog for the rest:

Despite Jon Huntsman’s attempts to speak up during the first few Republican primary debates, the results from a recent straw poll of GOP activists in Florida spell bad news for his campaign: Like the beleaguered former front-runner Michele Bachmann, Huntsman received 2% of the vote.

One of Huntsman’s brightest moments in the campaign so far is his brief Twitter sensation in August when he responded to Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s scientific skepticism: “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.”

Huntsman has also distinguished himself on another hot-button issue: legal recognition for gay and lesbian relationships. As governor of Utah, he supported civil unions and declared this summer that he would not use federal powers to block a law legalizing same-sex marriage in New York.

Huntsman also has publicly courted support from gay Republican groups and donors.

While his “call me crazy” approach may not be playing to the heart of GOP primary voters this year, Huntsman looks promising if he could hang in there until 2024.

That is, a look at the profile of Americans in the millennial generation (ages 18-29) almost certainly indicates that a dozen years from now, a campaign such as Huntsman’s may be the norm among Republican candidates.

Read the full piece here.