Huntsman gone but is still in charge

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has made only a single public appearance, at a brief ceremony more than a month ago, since announcing in mid-May he would resign as soon as he's confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China.

Huntsman's June 1 declaration of Air Force Week from the steps of the state Capitol was the last opportunity Utahns have had to see their governor, who is spending much of his time in Washington, D.C., preparing for his yet-unscheduled Senate confirmation hearings.

His staff says Huntsman is still very much in charge of the state, even though he has turned over his public duties to Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, who'll take over as governor once Huntsman resigns.

"Everybody can be assured that all is being taken care within state government by the governor himself," Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said. "He's doing everything he can to assure state business is going on as usual."

That means talking "as needed" with Herbert about the transition while shuttling between meetings with his department heads in Utah and classified briefings on China in Washington. Over the July Fourth holiday, Huntsman is in Idaho for what's expected to be a final family vacation before he takes his new post.

Utahns familiar with the confirmation process say Huntsman's virtual disappearance is nothing out of the ordinary given the level of scrutiny associated with such a high-profile appointment.

"You're trying not to stir up anything new that will affect that vetting process. The White House makes it clear that this is pretty much a 'silent' period," said Charlie Johnson, a former chief of staff to Gov. Mike Leavitt, who was tapped mid-term to serve in Washington as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Johnson, who held key posts under Leavitt, first at the EPA and later, when Leavitt was named secretary of Health and Human Services, said the quiet doesn't mean the work of running the state isn't getting done.

"That doesn't mean you can't do your job. What they're saying is you want to be very careful," Johnson said.

"It's a very complicated time for a governor," said Rich McKeown, another former Leavitt chief of staff who went with him to Washington. Not only does Huntsman have to continue running the state while preparing for his confirmation hearings and new post, he must also be considering the transition.

"It's really hectic," McKeown recalled.

So why doesn't a governor just step down when asked to serve in a presidential administration?

"That would have the appearance of presumptuousness, to resign and then appear before a Senate committee," McKeown said. "A nomination doesn't secure you anything."

Tom Korologos, a Utahn who has spent decades in Washington as a lobbyist, agreed.