News reports appeared last night that Obama will name Utah governor Jon Huntsman as ambassador to China. Governor Huntsman is the Republican governor who expressed support for civil unions and whose speech in Michigan was canceled by a county GOP because he was insufficiently Republican.
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese from his days as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan, has accepted the appointment, said the source, who would speak only on condition of anonymity ahead of a White House announcement expected Saturday.
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He signed an initiative that would set a regional cap-and-trade effort to reduce global warming. In a 2006 speech at Shanghai Normal University, Huntsman spoke of the need for China and the U.S. to work together on environmental issues.
“The United States and China must be good examples and stewards of the Earth. We must match economic progress with environmental stewardship. The effects of industrialization are felt worldwide,” Huntsman said then.
Throughout his tenure as governor, Huntsman’s background as a diplomat has been evident. He preferred to win over opponents in private meetings rather than using his bully pulpit to give rousing speeches.
Huntsman does sound uniquely qualified for the ambassadorship. Huntsman was also discussed as a presidential candidate against Obama in 2012, but I doubt it is possible with today’s current GOP voters. This sounds like a really smart move by Obama – removing possible competition but also keeping Gov. Huntsman’s career alive for when (if) the GOP starts moving in a more leftward direction. I do really believe that Obama is committed to bipartisanship but it isn’t really possible right now to have a partnership with the party of no.