Huntsman enrolls in guv 101

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — There are no drill sergeants here barking out orders and no bugles to call recruits to breakfast.

But the Greenbriar, nestled in the rolling hills of eastern West Virginia with meticulously manicured lawns, sweet violin serenades and posh $400-a-night rooms, is a boot camp, of sorts, for the nation's newly elected governors.

"It's not as exciting as ambassador school. There, we had guns and courses on defensive driving," joked Utah's governor-elect, Jon Huntsman Jr., a former ambassador who joined five other new governors in three days of tutoring by 11 sitting governors, all part of a seminar hosted by the National Governors Association.

Of course, Huntsman might not have made that comment had he first attended "Working With the Media" instruction from Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee before sitting down Saturday with the Deseret Morning News. That course isn't until later.

Training is the name of the game here, with veteran governors offering their wisdom to the neophytes on everything from selecting a transition team to working with the legislature and security. There's even instruction on how to get along with your spouse while serving as governor.

Mary Kaye Huntsman, Utah's next first lady, is also getting instruction at the Greenbriar, although there was no word on if instruction included how to deal with a cranky governor.

Also in boot camp is Huntsman's newly appointed chief of staff, Jason Chaffetz, and his executive assistant (the state paid for Huntsman, Chaffetz and a security detail to attend, but travel costs of all others were paid from private and campaign funds).

Huntsman has been getting lots of advice since he was elected earlier this month. And encouragement.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a friend, called him the day after the election. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush the day after that.

Last week, Huntsman spent two hours with former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt at the Huntsman home in Salt Lake City. Leavitt brought a list of things the former governor, who resigned to become administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, wished he had done differently, along with some advice.

"He told me to be myself," Huntsman said. "I've been hearing that since day one. And really that's all you can be at the end of the day."

While rubbing shoulders with governors from across the nation, Huntsman said he has been struck by how they are all in the same boat regardless of political party. And in many respects, partisanship is left at the Greenbriar door.