Gov. Huntsman (R-UT) Goes to China

By now, everyone knows that the early word is that Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has been tapped by the Obama administration to be the ambassador to China.

I know it might seem counter-intuitive for Obama to be picking a Republican from one of the reddest states in the nation to lead anything, but as a Utah resident, I wanted to put everyone at ease. He's a pretty good guy.

Hell, he's the first Republican I've ever voted for. He's level-headed, even-handed, well read, and well respected among everyone in the state, left, right, and center.

The thing that impresses me most about Jon Huntsman as the Governor of Utah, is that even though he's of the majority party, he includes the voices of the minority as though it were an equal and he's not afraid to veto the idiotic bills brought to him by a legislature that by and large has only a tenuous grip on reality. He's even worked hard to liberalize the liquor laws that have strangled tourism (as well as my social life) in the state, against the will of his party and a majority of his supporters, simply because it's the right thing to do. He's vetoed a lot of legislation that's come across his desk and has one of the most progressive records on the environment in the west.

He's even come out in support of civil unions for same sex couples.

Add to that, the fact that he's actually kept Utah's head largely above water through the economic crisis and you'll agree that he's actually a pretty good Governor.

It's no wonder he was tapped by the Obama team for any job and he deserves our support and encouragement.

He really is a stand-up act.

(Bryan Young lives in Utah and is the producer of Killer at Large)

Comments

[2morrowKnight]

Excellent. Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure Huntsman will president or vice-president at some point in the future. Sounds like aan interesting guy.

[CW-Florida]

What little Ihave heard by and about him has led me to believe he is a good choice. He is seems to be very small 'c' conservative, which is a possition I can relate to and have intelligent debate with. The fact that he was disinvited to that Republican event in Indiana (?) also gives me a positive impression. He is not a lock step republican, but a thoughtful man.

[Bryan Young - Huffpost Blogger]

It was in Michigan, he was disinvited from.

[FairTalk]

So far we are being told in all MSM reports why he is a good choice. However, like you, I suspect there will be some sharp edges he will have to overcome when presenting himself to China in a formal capacity, as US Ambassador.

1. He was a Mormon missionary; the past violations of Chinese law, including opperating illegal house churches, by US Consulate personell who were Mormon continues to be an issue. Will he try to use his position as US Ambassador to push his faite on China?

2. He supported the disruptions of the olympic Tourch runs, which resulted in much violence, including a ruthless attack on a disabled Chinese Olympic Torch holder. This was done to shame China in public. news stroies in the Western MSM distorted the news. He will be dealing with a high level Chineze official who is an ethnic minority of China, so I do believe he will have to start out with an apology, or be viewed as ignorant.

I wish him good luck for our sake, but the mindless, ignorant and racist bashing of China needs to end.

[FairTalk]

It is my understanding that he lobbied the Obama administration for this appointmtnt. Can you shed any light on this?

[Sinick]

I thank you for enlightening me Brian. It makes me feel a lot better to know that he isn't a hack and that it wasn't some political ploy. After all, this critical appointment was to serve as ambassador to the most important country in the world today.