Huntsman served as U.S. ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and as a deputy U.S. trade representative under President George W. Bush, where he negotiated agreements with China. In 2001, he was on a short list for the China ambassadorship.

He and his wife, Mary Kaye, adopted their daughter Gracie Mei from China. As governor, he led a Utah trade mission to Beijing and Shanghai, talking up the state in near-perfect Mandarin. He learned the language as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan.

It's that skill, along with his diplomatic background, that made him a perfect pick for Obama, said Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

"Huntsman is very well-qualified," Wilson said, noting few Americans have both the language abilities and the political skills needed for what is arguably the most important ambassadorship.

But the professor said Huntsman's taking the post will have little real impact on the 2012 race. "I'll be honest with you, I never saw Huntsman as a leading contender," Wilson said.

Utah Republican leaders had no complaint about the GOP governor joining a Democratic administration. "There are some things that transcend politics," Lockhart said.

Valentine said not everyone in the party will be as accepting. "Some in the party will probably say he's a traitor," Valentine said. "But I won't."

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele didn't address the issue of a GOP governor joining a Democratic administration in a statement issued Saturday.

"Governor Huntsman has been a good governor for Utah. He is a respected figure in the Republican Party and I wish him well in his new role as ambassador to China. I have all confidence that Governor Huntsman will be a strong voice on U.S. interests.

The U.S. and China have many overlapping interests and I hope Governor Huntsman's appointment means that President Obama is serious about evolving our relationship with China in a positive direction."

Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said he understood why Huntsman was offered the job. What's not clear is why the governor took it.

"Am I surprised he's taking it? I kind of am. I would think being governor of Utah is a great job," Waddoups said. "He knows more about an ambassadorship than I do. But to me, staying home and being governor of a growing, vibrant state — I just think that sounds very attractive."

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