Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. revealed his naked political ambition in proclaiming his allegiance to John McCain for president in 2008. The move is the biggest political gamble of the governor's fledgling career. He is obviously hoping to shed the rather lackluster role of governor over a small Western state for a more prominent national position and is banking on the "McCain Train" to get him there. Should McCain not have a federal job for Huntsman come 2008, the governor will have to hope Utah voters suffer from severe short-term memory loss if he seeks re-election.

James C. Phillips

Orem