Huntsman said he knows Palin from attending governors' conferences and that both share an interest in energy policy. The governor said once Utahns get to know her, they'll like her, too, even if she isn't what he called a "homeboy" candidate.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said Friday that while Palin's "appointment comes as a surprise," he is sure she "will make a positive contribution to the McCain campaign. Palin brings administrative experience, energy and gender diversity to the ticket."

Hillary Clinton's Utah campaign chairman, Donald Dunn, doubts Palin can lure her Democratic supporters.

"This race was never about gender," Dunn said. "It's about issues."

Speculation ran wild overnight, with reports that Romney would join McCain in Ohio — and at least one report early Friday, in the online newsletter Politico, suggesting the former Massachusetts governor wasn't going.

Romney had long been seen as a frontrunner in the so-called "veepstakes" because of a strong business background that brought him great personal wealth. McCain has admitted being weak on economic policy, shaping up as a major issue in the campaign.

And because Romney's father, the late George Romney, had served as a popular governor of Michigan, Romney was also expected to be able to help capture Michigan for the Republicans in November.

Additionally, Romney's membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was likely to attract voters in the West where a number of states, including Nevada and New Mexico, are up for grabs.

But his chances of becoming McCain's No. 2 appeared to dim after Obama named his former rival for the White House his running mate.

The GOP jumped on Biden's own words against Obama during the primaries, when Biden questioned Obama's lack of experience. McCain and Romney, of course, battled bitterly until Romney dropped out of the presidential race.

Romney won Utah's GOP primary on Feb. 5 with an overwhelming 90 percent of the vote but lost other key states to McCain on that Super Tuesday, including California. Uthans donated $6 million to his presidential campaign.

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Contributing: Associated Press

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