Mr. Huntsman goes to China

There has been much speculation regarding Gov. Huntsman's intentions in accepting the ambasadorship to China. Some question how he plans to launch a bid for the Republican presidential nomination when he has been out of the country serving a Democrat. I think, however, Gov. Huntsman's ambitions are a little more humble.

When he first mentioned the ambasadorship, Gov. Huntsman stated that when the President asks you to serve, you serve. It seems he is willing to put the country's needs above his own political ambitions. If this is truly his motivation, and I believe it is to a certain extent, then you have to admire Gov. Huntsman's acceptance even more. After all, as has been debated time and time again, taking this position does little to advance his political career - but the President believes that he is the best man for the job. Given Gov. Huntsman's resume, the President is probably right.

There is something else to take into consideration, however. Huntsman has positioned himself as a moderate Republican who is willing to come out with stances that go against the hard-core right wing of the party. He has been true to himself, but doing so has potentially damaged any run for the presidency.

Yet, Huntsman has positioned himself very nicely for the two-spot on a ticket. Granted, few, if any politicians, want the vice-presidency. Most who take it, do so begrudgingly. Back when the vice-presidency was the booby prize in the presidential election, John Adams called it "the most insignificant office ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." One might say that anyone campaigning for the vice-presidency would be crazy.

I think Huntsman might be crazy like a fox.

Huntsman, as the number two man on a ticket, would bring in a lot of moderates. His foreign experience would be unquestionable. A run for the presidency would be hampered by a lot. Granted, he is an executive, but of a relatively small state-population wise. We saw, through Gov. Romney's run, that the Mormon factor would cause a lot of people to think twice about voting for Huntsman. Those on the right and the left would not think twice about attacking Huntsman for his mormonism.

However, the effect of the Mormon factor is muted when he is up for the number two slot. After serving as the vice-president for four to eight years, Huntsman becomes a known entity and voters will be more likely to dismiss his mormonism as a non-issue.

This ambassadorship may be the perfect ticket for Huntsman to become a very viable asset to a strong presidential candidate. His moderate stances may round out a ticket, his foreign experience puts him in a great spot to be a strong foreign diplomat from the White House, and spending a few years as the vice president on a Repulican ticket will allow people to see beyond his Mormon faith and will allow him to repent of his service under a Democrat administration.

Huntsman's reason for taking this ambassadorship is likely very basic - the president asked, so Huntsman will serve. Regardless of the reasoning, Huntsman may be solidifying his best path to the presidency, and that path leads him through the vice-presidency.