Huntsman's focus is not on civil unions

"It's not that it's starting now. We've had this conversation for some time," said the governor, who met with gay rights advocates earlier this week. "Where it goes, I'm not quite sure."

In recent months, Huntsman has been touted in the national media as a potential GOP candidate for president in 2012. He deflected questions Thursday about whether he's had discussions about what that campaign would entail.

"This is a good example where the Republican Party needs to let a thousand flowers bloom and get all the different issues out there, the different perspectives," the governor said, to "see where that takes us."

Huntsman has been portrayed in the national media as a leader among Republicans who believe the party should be more moderate on gay rights and other issues.

But he said Thursday the GOP "isn't moving anywhere right now. The party is going through a recasting of itself that may take a few years."

The governor did make a point of telling reporters after the taping that the Republican rank-and-file have not always appreciated actions by GOP politicians that are later seen as achievements, such as President Ronald Reagan meeting with his Russian counterpart during the Cold War.

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