Governor Huntsman causing national, local stir

Now, it's President Barack Obama's former campaign manager who's pitching Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. as a potential GOP challenger for the White House in 2012.

David Plouffe is a "wee bit queasy" about the prospect of a Huntsman candidacy, according to U.S. News Weekly's "Washington Whispers" column first posted on the digital news magazine's subscriber-only Web site last Friday.

"I think the one person in that party who might be a potential presidential candidate is Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah," Plouffe is quoted as saying. "I think he's really out there speaking a lot of truth about the direction of the party."

Of course, the column also points out that there's no potential Republican opponent that makes the longtime Democratic Party strategist "shake in his shoes." But, Plouffe notes, "four years ago, Sen. Barack Obama wasn't even in the conversation, so it may very well be someone that none of us are really talking about right now."

Plouffe's focus on Huntsman impressed Todd Weiler, Utah State Republican Party vice chairman.

"You can always question the sincerity and the motivation for a statement like that, but my gut reaction would be that it was honest," Weiler said. "They see Huntsman as an attractive candidate who is moving toward the middle and has a legitimate resume."

Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said Huntsman "is getting the rewards of sticking his neck out on issues," including support for gay rights and addressing climate change — in one of the nation's reddest and most conservative states.

"Regardless of whether Plouffe was being sincere, the demographics and trends certainly show the Republican Party has to change lanes a little bit, and Huntsman has become the leading voice of reform," said Jowers, who was appointed by Huntsman to head a commission on boosting voter turnout in Utah.

Huntsman's stands have been attracting the attention of The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other national media for some time. His support for civil unions led to a Michigan GOP group canceling his appearance last week.

The swing through Michigan was just the latest political trip by Huntsman to a key Republican primary state. The governor, though, won't say what his political plans are, beyond not seeking a third term as governor.

"The governor is not looking to make anyone queasy," Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said. "He's just working on building the party."