Comments about ‘Obama names Huntsman ambassador to China’

What a good choice. Utah's loss is America's gain.

Great for Huntsman. Congratulations! Not so great for us. We're stuck with Herbert.

Best wishes Governor. Thanks for all you did for Utah.

Cool!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Governor Huntsman. Thank you for all that you have done for our state and now what you will be doing for our country.

I've always been impressed with Gov. Huntsman's willingness to listen to both sides of the aisle and decide what was best for our state. I know others don't care for him, but I've appreciated his time as our governor. I'm interested to see what Lt. Gov. Herbert does as a governor.

Utah's gain is America's gain. Huntsman will be a better ambassador than governor.

My thoughts are Obama is making this decision for one of two reasons:

#1 He thinks he can win the Utah 2010 Governors Election. He may think his popularity is still strong and by throwing a legitimate contender like Scott Matheson or Jim Matheson he can take the governors office.

#2 It is reported that Huntsman met with Obama late last year and they have been talking about Huntsman joining Obama's administration.

I dont think Huntsman would do this unless he is getting something in return. He has already been ambassador so returning to this position again does nothing for his political resume.

So I think Huntsman has been promised that when Justice Stephens retires Obama will move Hillary Clinton to the Supreme Court (partially to get her away of thinking about a 2012 or 2016 run for president) and he will make Huntsman the Secretary of State.

How are Huntsman and Herbert different in their positions on issues and ideological outlooks?

There are a number of differences, both in tone and substance. For example, Huntsman supports civil unions for gay couples, while Herbert does not. Huntsman is quite moderate on environmental issues, signing on to the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade proposals to reduce carbon emissions. Herbert attends meetings with traditional energy developers and expresses strong support for carbon-based energy sources. He isn't jumping on the global warming bandwagon. Herbert recently attended a planning meeting of the Utah Public Lands Multiple Use Coalition, which intends to ignite a second "Sagebrush Rebellion" to "take back Utah" from federal bureaucrats. In interviews with the national news media, Huntsman criticizes congressional conservatives in Washington as out-of-touch. Herbert is much more respectful of party elders, and he attends and speaks at most county Republican conventions, where he tosses out conservative red meat to the delegates. Huntsman supported John McCain. Herbert supported Mitt Romney.

Herbert will be so awesome as governor. This is such great news.

Great, we are stuck with Herbert.

Huntsman is a great pick. This choice is good for the US, good for China, and good for Utah.

I'm a bit saddened by this news....I really like Huntsman as governor, and would rather he stayed and didn't become an ambassador. But I guess if this is better for him, he should take the job. Utah will miss him.

This should be a fantastic position for Gov. Huntsman. He is sharp on matters of foreign affairs. His Mandarin is fantastic... I heard him speaking Chinese at the Milken Institute's Global Conference in Beverly Hills last month. Great news!!

Looks like all the moderate progress we have made these last 5 years is now over. Herbert is like any other Republican in the state. You know the type. At least Huntsman was not afraid to stand up to the clowns in the legislature. Utah is heading back to becoming a fringe state, you know weird!

If anyone believes this is some nefarious political move, please, get a grip. Huntsman is not a threat to Obama in any bid for a second administration. As someone who I suspect was a native Utahn said here a few weeks ago, Huntsman as a serious presidential contender: "Ain't going to happen." This should appeal to everyone as something far more dignified. Here it is: a native Utahn who is capable of tolerance and progressive thinking who is selected by the first African-American president to be ambassador to a country that is crucial to the wellbeing of the U.S. and the world. Put away your insularity and see what pride you should derive from this.

Well, he might as well go over to the demos side. He has shifted so far left that the state will be better off with him gone. At least we will have a real conservative in office to protect our individual rights. Utah will be much better off with him gone.

This is most encouraging. This is probably the most important ambassadorship both in economic terms as well as political and military terms. The fact that the President is asking somebody from the other side of the political spectrum and that Governor Huntsman accepted speaks volumes about both of them. I look for great things to come out of this for Utah, the Nation, and the World.

Yes, this bodes well for both the republican party and Utah as we should be very proud of Jon for achieving such status in the eyes of the Obama admin. This surely enhances our image in Utah and keeps us on the political map and in the political arena and makes me proud that the democrates see the talent OUR Governor posseses. Perhaps this will be a stepping stone for a future republican presidential candidate from Utah!

Absolutely, True Perspective! We Utahns should all feel very proud. Huntsman is a perfect pick to make a positive difference in our relations with China. I do worry a little about some of Herbert's views but we can change things in 2010 too. Congratulations, Gov!

Gov. Huntsman,
Thank you for all you have done for our state. Seriously there has never been better. We hate to see you leave after all you have done but best of luck.