Huntsman staying course

Huntsman Jr. has campaigned in New Hampshire, Florida and other states for McCain and appeared with him during a fundraising stop in Utah last year. The governor also accompanied McCain twice on trips to Iraq.

His low profile as a McCain supporter in Utah may not change anytime soon, even though with Romney out of the race as of last Thursday, polls show voters are only lukewarm in their support for McCain.

Still, Huntsman said he wasn't sure he'd be doing much campaigning for McCain here. "I don't know. If I'm asked to help, I will," he said. "I just don't know what role will be a logical one to play. Sen. McCain has to reach out to a lot of new people."

Whatever he ends up doing, Huntsman said he believes McCain will win Utah in November. "I think that McCain would be good for Utah because he understands Western issues," he said, citing land, water and air quality. "I think that's to our advantage."

Romney's candidacy, Huntsman said, helped the state, too, particularly Mormons. Romney's membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attracted plenty of attention to the faith he shares with a majority of Utahns, much of it not flattering.

Even so, said Huntsman, who is Mormon, "any time there's increased discussion and deliberation about something that's generally misunderstood, that's a positive thing. ... I think that will continue. We may very well see a President Romney."

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