What is Huntsman's Strategy?

I thought the same thing as Dave Wiegel about Jon Huntsman's telepromter comment on ABC's This Week. Said Huntsman about Obama's approach: "He should have walked away from the teleprompter. The people want you to speak from your heart and soul."  Weigel's words are nearly the same as I yelled at the TV (yes, I yell at the TV during Sunday morning political shows the way many yell at the TV during football games):

Huntsman has to know that he's dog-whistling to conservatives who think Obama's use of the teleprompter is proof that he's at best an empty suit, at worst a shadow candidate that a lazy media puffed up and foisted on the electorate.

When Tapper asked about the 10:1 spending cuts/revenue increases question from the Iowa GOP debate, Huntsman completely blew off the question:

Jake, it was a nonsense question. And the fact that you can even ask a question that is that important with such profound implications for the United States, to answer by show of a raised hand, I mean, come on. What have -- you know, what have debates gotten to, in terms of how we discuss the truly important issues of the day? I don't think tax increases are good for this country right now. In fact, I think it'd be the worst thing that we can do.

To his credit Tapper followed up seeking an answer and got the following:

TAPPER: So are you sorry you raised your hand for the, quote, "nonsense question"?

HUNTSMAN: Well, I'm just sorry that the debate resorted to a raising of hand as opposed to some discussion about where this country needs to go in terms of overall tax policy.

I'm just not quite sure what Huntsman's play is here.  After spending a week calling for more substantive debate and saying things on Twitter that caused Roger Ebert to suggest: "Huntsman simply says things everybody knows, and he contradicts all the other GOP candidates," Huntsman goes on "This Week"with the opportunity to start building a base of moderate, educated Republicans as well as independent voters and he pivots to the right and starts speaking in talking points.  I honestly don't get it.