Huntsman to China

Jon Huntsman, the Republican governor of Utah, has been appointed by President Obama as ambassador to China. He recently toured Michigan for a round of fundraising events.

Reports: Utah GOP Gov. Huntsman to resign, become Obama’s China ambassador
Utah GOP governor is Obama's pick as China envoy

With the selection, Obama may have sidelined a potentially formidable moderate Republican from the 2012 presidential field. For Huntsman, it's a chance to burnish his credentials and position himself as a viable hopeful - perhaps for 2016 if Obama is seen as a strong candidate for a second term in 2012.

What terrible analysis.

Huntsman recently made headlines for encouraging his party to swing in a more moderate direction if it wants to bounce back from the 2008 elections, angering some conservatives.

Why would any conservative not want people like Obama ambassador Huntsman running the party?

He has drawn the most attention for stating he favors civil unions for gay couples even though he backed a state constitutional amendment passed in 2004 that prohibited same-sex marriage.

Huntsman's comments on civil unions drew the ire of conservatives in Utah and elsewhere. Officials in Michigan last month canceled a GOP county fundraiser where Huntsman was to speak, saying he had abandoned important party principles.

Previous: Huntsman Event