Vickie Piercey Barlow | 12:45 a.m. May 17, 2009
Governor Huntsman, Our family is so excited and proud of you and what you have accomplished.
Take Care
Geotopia | 1:09 a.m. May 17, 2009
Awesome governor will make an awesome ambassador, but many Utahns will miss him. Great opportunity for both Huntsman to further establish international credentials and a strong speaker of Mandarin with political savvy will do much for Sino-American relations. It's hard to see a downside to this other than losing a great governor for Utah. As for Obama, it does help him establish some sense of bi-partisan fairmindedness, so let's give credit where credit is due. Good pick.
Congrats,Gov&? Waddoups | 1:23 a.m. May 17, 2009
Congratulations and thanks for your service as our governor! I appreciate your willingness to serve in this important capacity.

On the other hand, Mr. Waddoups, as you wonder why Gov. Huntsman would leave Utah to become an ambassador, do you also wonder why Mike Leavitt left his governorship to work for Pres. Bush? Perhaps we all should have wondered why Leavitt would leave our great state for a D.C. position. Also, have you wondered why Pres. Benson would leave the state and the day to day duties of his church to serve the nation as a cabinet member following WWII?

Seems you might be needing to stir the pot and/or get some press of your own right now, Mr. Waddoups. Kinda sad to see such comments from a high-ranking Republican.
Comments continue below
Goid for Utah | 1:45 a.m. May 17, 2009
Huntsman has set a great direction for the state in many areas, and is the best governor ever for the economy. The connections he will make and the influence he will have in the worlds fastest growing and very large economy will certainly benefit the state as well.

I wish him the best.

Thanks and good luck, Mr. Ambassador.
Non-partison | 1:50 a.m. May 17, 2009
People constantly complain about partisonship. Huntsman and Obama are trying to step beyond rivalry toward synergy and patriotism.

Then Holland puts his hoof in his mouth.
Chris in Texas | 6:30 a.m. May 17, 2009
Congrats, Governor! While you're over there, could you look into the adoption scene and find out what the hold-up is!?! Those of who've been on adoption waiting lists for 2 years or more waiting to adopt a Chinese baby know you've successfully completed an adoption there. Perhaps, you can grease the treads for us to get the pipeline flowing again? They literally have orphanages filled with little girls over there. We'd love to have one in our home.
salute | 6:37 a.m. May 17, 2009
Salute Obama, a bipartisan President. I wonder how the GOP right wing will spin this?????

Right man for the job. Good call all the way around.

I like bipartisanship. Thank you President Obama.
Not to sure | 6:48 a.m. May 17, 2009
While I applaud some of the things Huntsman has done in Utah as a Governor, I'm not so certain how to take this new Ambassador calling to China, while it may be all good for China and the U.S. will it be good for the Republican ticket????

Was this another maneuver by Obama to rid himself of a potential opponent during the next Presidential race?????

Time will tell, but IMO I don't trust the folks in the White House!
Richard | 6:49 a.m. May 17, 2009
It is refreshing to see someone who has the means to live privately in comfort and safety, but who chooses to put duty and the opportunity to serve ahead of personal comforts.
Ambassador to China? | 6:52 a.m. May 17, 2009
Let's face it, Gov Huntsman is still wet behind the ears. Being Governor of Utah is akin to being a student body president in college. The fact he speaks Mandarin Chinese is no qualification for this role as ambassador. Huntsman is being played or it demonstrates another extreme lack in judgment by the Obama administration.
Big Pete | 7:08 a.m. May 17, 2009
This is demeaning to the state of Utah. A cabinet position is significant but an ambassadorship is largely ceremonial. I think this justs shows that Huntsman has never seen the position of governor as little more than a stepping stone, a toy if you will, until he found a position on the national scene that he thought was more interesting or appealing - shinier. I'm glad he's gone or going.
Phil | 7:19 a.m. May 17, 2009
I have never been a big fan of the Governor, with his liberal big spending agenda. But, I think that this is a job he should be very good at. I wish him the best.
Chris | 7:21 a.m. May 17, 2009
Did you forget that Mr. Huntsman was CEO of a huge corporation, has already served as an ambassador to Singapore as well as fulfilling other dipomatic assignments. A little more experienced than a college student body president. Brilliant choice by President Obama.
The Waddoups Bubble | 7:23 a.m. May 17, 2009
Why am I not surprised by Waddoups'comment? It's apparent he doesn't know much about the world apart from his small little cocoon of Taylorsville. Being the United States' representative to the worlds' most populated nation is a tad more important than being governor and having to deal with the yahoos in the Utah GOP with their incredibly limited world view.

Good for you, Governor. We're proud of you and the way you are representing your home state.

Jorge | 7:29 a.m. May 17, 2009
Congratulations to Mr. Huntsman. Condolences to Utahns!
Re: Ambassador to China? | 7:31 a.m. May 17, 2009
"Ambassador to China?" are you really questioning Gov. Huntsman's qualifications to be ambassador to China? Let's think about this:
1) He speaks fluent Mandarin (anyone who has lived overseas understands what an asset it is to speak the native language)
2) He's been a governor
3) He's been an ambassador to Singapore (right near China and likely has many Chinese connections)
4) He served a mission in Taiwan (probably understands China/Taiwan issue)
5) He was a US trade representative who previously negotiated deals with China

You really ought to think before you make a lame comment. Something the readers might want to ponder is that one issue that China & Governor Huntsman will be at odds is homosexual unions. I'm pretty certain that China (like Iran and Saudi Arabia and many Muslim & Communist countries) claims there are "no homosexuals" in their country.

In the end, Obama showed how brilliant he is by selecting:
1) A qualified representative
2) A Republican (he can claim he's bipartisan and keep taking from the Republican's base) who probably is similar to Obama
3) A possible opponent for 2012 (Huntsman is likely entirely removed from the election picture.)
obummer? | 7:31 a.m. May 17, 2009
Bipartisanship? Obama picks a rino silver spooned Governor form a conservative state and you call it bipartisanship? Give me a break.....The day Obama appoints Rush Limbaugh to a political post ...then lets talk! Huntsman is a democrat!
Craig | 7:40 a.m. May 17, 2009
Huntsman is not viewed as serious presidential candidate. He is about as good of a person you can get for an ambassador position. Utah will be better with Herbert and Huntsman's job will be to convince China to keep buying our debt which is growing dramatically under Obama.
sob | 7:51 a.m. May 17, 2009
rational (i.e. moderate thinking) people will see this as what it is, recognition by the majority of americans that even rational thinking utahns have alot to offer america, and that some do put county above party. for the radical fruitcakes that make up so much of utahs' population, this will never be understood. good luck guv.
Cats | 7:52 a.m. May 17, 2009
Congratulations to the Governor. I know he'll do a great job. However, I do think that getting him out of the country and a potential presidential run was probably a factor in the choice.
John Harrison | 7:57 a.m. May 17, 2009
Chris,

CEO of what corporation? Not Huntsman Chemical. He did head up the family charity for a while though.
Corey Grua | 8:01 a.m. May 17, 2009
An American first,a Republican somewhere down the line. That, to me, shows a selflessness that is rare in today's world.
BK | 8:03 a.m. May 17, 2009
I have not been a fan of Governor Huntsman since his pro global warming stance became evident which has shown him to be more of a follower than a leader. Maybe now we can get a real conservative as Governor. For the first time and probably the last: thank you President Obama!
Just Wondering | 8:04 a.m. May 17, 2009
Didn't the first President Bush once serve as the Ambassador to China? This may be a smart political step for Governor Huntsman.
James | 8:22 a.m. May 17, 2009
I am glad he got a new job. I would like to go back to work. I am not born rich I work in the drilling industry drilling for gas but now me & a lot of other people do not have jobs we are tring to make ends meet so our kids have somthing to eat and our goverment is buying gas from Russia so we cannot work to take care of our families thanks from the bottom of my kids bellys. I am glad the rich are thinking of us when they make their decisions.
Joshua | 8:31 a.m. May 17, 2009
No, the first pres bush was vice president and then president. i think he was a senator from texas before that.
Obama agenda | 8:31 a.m. May 17, 2009
Huntsman is a savvy choice given Obama's clear intention to bring China onboard to America's climate change initiatives. The biggest issue the GOP has with climate change is that China isn't onboard. Clinton has already begun talks with China about the issue, and Huntsman will become a critical point person to bring the nation in line with Europe and the United States. With Huntsman a critical advocate for new technologies and innovation centered at addressing climate change, it is clear that he will promote China's industrial development to curb CO2 emissions. Imagine, China making solar panels and storage batteries at a fraction of American companies -- that could revolutionize the industry!
Hey, BK 8:03 a.m. | 8:36 a.m. May 17, 2009
Huntsman IS a "real" conservative. He's just not a radical far right wing authoritarian, which is what "conservative" has been hijacked to mean.
state employer | 8:48 a.m. May 17, 2009
Making Herbert the Governor will be bad for state employees. We have slowly been losing benefits. No raises however more taken out of out pockets to pay insurance. We keep going more in the hole every year. Herbert wants to change the state retirement plan. State employees need to rally against Herbert in the next election. If I wasn't a state employee I might consider a run at the office.
RE: Joshua | 9:15 a.m. May 17, 2009
No Joshua, you are wrong. Bush senior never was govenor. He served as the main liason with China. At the time they did not have a complete formal realtion whith China so the official title of Ambassador was not used, but this is the position he served in. Afterwards he was Director of the CIA and then moved into the Vice presidency.

So Josh, you really have no clue about Bush. He did serve as the main relations guy with china... like Huntsman will, and he was never govenor
Bye Bye | 9:38 a.m. May 17, 2009
Hunstman has never been on the same page as most Utahns and is far too liberal to represent the Republican party. He will be a better diplomat to China than being our governer.

I for one am glad that he will no longer represent our state.
Win-Win | 10:16 a.m. May 17, 2009
Not only is this a win for Gov. Huntsman and his family, but it is a win for the state of Utah as Jon represents the interests of this great state.

I have always been impressed with Jon's ability to hold both parties at check while doing the "Right Things" for the state. What is there not to like--he has vision, he has integrity, he has determination, he has respect, he has a strong positive demeanor, and he has valor. (Just like Mitt Romney.)

Gov. Huntsman is neither a Democrat or a Republican--he is a man with talents and a destiny, and he is living up to that destiny. I wish him all the best as he performs in this (and many more) important roles in his lifetime. He has been mentored well and taught valuable principles that will guide him through what are expected to be some very tough challenges--but I know he will do well because he has shown that in the past.

It would serve ALL of US well to remember his example and serve when called upon and lay politics where it belongs--at Ceasar's feet deep in the ground.
jefejivaro | 11:08 a.m. May 17, 2009
Personally, I would love to see Mike Leavitt run in 2010. He was an excellent governor, administrator and took great pains to get things done on both a grand scale and for individuals who approached him. Every interaction I ever had with him and his wife convinced me they are a class act.

This is good for Utah | 11:29 a.m. May 17, 2009
Governor Huntsman is a very astute politician. He ran for governor as a Republican , knowing that he could not be elected as a Democrat and was able to fool most of the conservatives in this state to vote for him (me included, first term.

He is probably the most liberal governor this state has ever had. In his first term, he presided over a time of huge budget surplusses, which were the result of the surging national economy. Instead of cutting taxes, he figured out ways to spend every single dime, adding new programs, promoting his socialist agenda, thinking the good times would go on forever.

Then the economy pulled back to more normal levels and our state could no longer fund the governors socialist utopia. Knowing he would not be seek re-election, he has recently changed his stance on social issues as well, going against the views of most of the people who voted him into office and his professed religion.

The governor has high political aspirations. To achieve those he needs to change parties and religions. Conservatives will not vote for a liberal socialist or a Mormon. Liberals will not vote for a Mormon.
Good Riddance | 11:43 a.m. May 17, 2009
Us folks here in Utah overwhelmingly voted for a Republican Governor in the last election. Now, maybe we'll finally have one. If Huntsman had any integrity left, he'd tell Obama "no thanks. I've got work left to do here."
A Breath of Fresh Air | 12:27 p.m. May 17, 2009
What makes Governor Huntsman's selection to be Ambassador to China such a great loss to Utah is revealed in comments suggesting that, as governor, he didn't represent the mass majority of Utah Republicans. What he did for his time as governor was to relieve to some degree the suffering of broader-view Utahns who are, in essence, disenfranchised from statewide politics. He didn't betray those who voted for a Republican. Rather, he kept faith with the spirit of democratic government and opted not to exclude the needs and interests of the rest of us who don't have the historical lock on things that Utah Republicans do. Thank you, Governor and best wishes for you in your new role.
Ernest T. Bass | 12:27 p.m. May 17, 2009
Huntsman has been great.
I'm very afraid of what Utah can expect in our future.
Wonderful! | 12:32 p.m. May 17, 2009
This good for the Governor, because now he will have the chance to grow up into a fine young man.
legal1 | 1:06 p.m. May 17, 2009
Sheesh, will you children never grow up, President Obama is trying to do things in a right way by tapping experience, no matter where he finds it, Huntsman may be Republican, yet his first obligation is to the United States of America and he's shown that. Give the man a brake and let him fufill his position.
Patrick | 1:09 p.m. May 17, 2009
We didn't elect you Gov. Huntsman to think about himself or the nation but the State of Utah. Your committment is for another 2 1/2 years, thanks for bailing on your people, your state, and your responsibility.
Look It Up | 1:09 p.m. May 17, 2009
Geesh, some people. It's not difficult to look up something on the Internet as opposed to making inane statemens like "No, the first pres bush was vice president and then president. i think he was a senator from texas before that."

George H.W. Bush was a Congressman from Texas, chairman of the RNC, Ambassador to the UN Envoy to China (equivalent of Ambassador at the time as was pointed it out) and CIA director before he was Vice President. He ran for the Senate and lost, but was never a Senator.

Regarding the tripe about an ambassadorship being largely ceremonial: That may be true for some posts, but Huntsman is not going to be ambassador to the Vatican or even Upper Volta. This is arguably the most important ambassadorship in the world for us at the present time. A lot is at stake and he Gov. Huntsman is imminently qualified.

Motherlode | 1:12 p.m. May 17, 2009
Who knows what's really behind Obama's (and his "handlers" - but what President didn't have "handlers") appointment of Huntsman, ie., to remove a future opponent? i think not. Huntsman is qualified. And what other nation at this time in history is emerging faster than China? Quite the prestigious appointment, i would say.
Waddoups personal bubble | 1:57 p.m. May 17, 2009
Waddoups comments is a perfect example of why he is such a bad politician for a free country like America. He seems to have the opinion that the world revolves around him, his state, and his religion. Everyone needs to live like him and his group. Nobody outside his group matters. Very Utah Taliban-esque.

With that said, it is not surprising that he would not get why Huntsman would want this post. Waddoups is clueless. Ambassador to China is significantly more important than being the Gov of Utar. And Huntsman comes across as being extremely intelligent and well qualified for the position. No way Waddoups has the intelligence to make that determination.

Waddoups should go back to focusing on discriminating against and harrassing everyone who is not like him. It is what he does best.
Politics First | 2:34 p.m. May 17, 2009
Are you people idiotic?

Obama did this for one reason--to get Huntsman out of the country. The last thing he wants is Huntsman here in the USA drumming up support for the Republican party.

I am not certain why so many people are distracted from the task at hand so easily.

Oh well, Huntsman is largely liberal anyway so it does not bother me that he and his liberal views are on their way to China vs. here diluting true conservative principles.

He is just another political animal who will do anything and adapt to any principle to gain power and position.

Dixie Dan | 2:42 p.m. May 17, 2009
What would make this appointment meaningful is if Huntsman would take Chris Buttars as his valet.
ER | 3:01 p.m. May 17, 2009
Bush Sr. (I know he is not really a Sr.) was the US diplomatic representitive to China from 1974-1976. He was de facto Ambassador, but was not called that since we did not have official relations with China until after 1979. He then worked as the director of the CIA and honed his skills in DC that way. He is one of the nicest ex-Presidents there has ever been. He has a courtious nature that goes a long way to disarming diplomatic counterparts and political opponents. I wish he had been more confident in 1992 and we would have not had Clinton at that time.
bilbo | 4:23 p.m. May 17, 2009
JOSHUA:
Here is the GHW Bush resume:
1966...US Congress, Texas
1970...UN Ambassador
1973...Chair of GOP Nat'l Comm.
1974...Advises Nixon to resign.
1975...Pres Ford appts Bush to China Ambassadorship.
1975...becomes CIA Director.
1978...Becomes GOP VP Nominee.
1988...becomes GOP Pres Nominee.
read your history.
Neo-Cons | 5:46 p.m. May 17, 2009
amaze me--- Huntsman is a great Governor "until" he is named an Ambassador-- and it's not a little "ceremonial" job-- Repubs!! Attention Please!! This is an appointment to be THE Ambassador to CHINA. Big, Powerful Country.. Get the idea??
What I truly feel bad about is now the Utah County out of control Legislators will have the backing of their silly notions by Gary Herbert who is one of their own-- You think you know ultra conservative??
Believe me this is scary... you ain't seen nothing yet!!
He only gets one year to destroy the state.....
liberal larry | 6:15 p.m. May 17, 2009
Just wait, Hillary and Huntsman in 2016. After 8 wonderful years of Obama, and company, the "small tent" republicans will soundly reject Jon Huntsman's presidential bid, he will switch parties, gain the Democratic vice presidential nomination, and win the white-house in a landslide with Hillary by his side.
Atlas | 6:16 p.m. May 17, 2009
Hopefully Utah will nominate a fiscal conservative.

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Mandel Ngan,Afp/Getty Images

President Barack Obama speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room as Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Huntsman's wife, Mary Kaye, and their family look on at the White House Saturday. Obama nominated Huntsman as the next U.S. ambassador to China.

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