Polling in low single digits at the national level and in most states as he continues to seek the Republican presidential nomination, former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah took aim Wednesday at his former boss, President Barack Obama, over the economy. Obama has scheduled a major jobs speech next week.

Huntsman, who served in the Obama administration as ambassador to China, unveiled his jobs plan on Wednesday in New Hampshire. He called for reforming taxes and regulations, expanding free trade and seeking more energy exploration to lead to energy independence.

Florida Republican Congressman Allen West said in a national interview Wednesday that he is kicking himself over leaving the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) after comments made by U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., attacking the tea party movement for being racists.

During an appearance on Fox News Wednesday, West, a member of both the CBC and the Tea Party Caucus, took aim at remarks Carson made in Miami at a CBC event Aug. 22.

When Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire disagree over who the Republican presidential nominee should be, the race turns to South Carolina, which has broken the tie -- and that could be good news for Gov. Rick Perry of Texas who leads in two polls in the Palmetto State.

Since kicking off his presidential bid earlier in the month, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has soared to the top of the polls, pushing aside former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts who had been the frontrunner in the race. On Tuesday Perry turned his focus toward the Sunshine State as he earned the endorsement of one of the most influential Republicans in Tallahassee -- incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.

Adam Hasner, now part of a crowded field of Republican candidates looking to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, announced Tuesday that he had the support of former Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul. Cretul, who served as speaker while Hasner was majority leader, will be a co-chairman of the Hasner campaign.

Cretul and Hasner were both first elected to the House in 2002 and they served until term limits forced them out in 2010. Cretul, who served as speaker from 2009 until 2010, praised his former House colleague Tuesday.