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New Ambassador to China

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Anonymous

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Obama names moderate Republican as envoy to China

updated 1 hour, 47 minutes ago



WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama announced Saturday that his choice for U.S. ambassador to China is moderate Republican Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who expressed some surprise at the appointment.


Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has an adopted daughter from China.

A national co-chairman of Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, Huntsman said he didn't expected "to be called into action by the person who beat us.

"But I grew up understanding that the most basic responsibility one has is service to country,"
the 49-year-old governor said at the White House, just after Obama's announcement.

"When the president of the United States asks you to step up and serve in a capacity like this, that to me is the end of the conversation and the beginning of the obligation to rise to the challenge."

The Senate must confirm his appointment.

Huntsman, who is in his final term as Utah's governor, is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and is a former trade representative and ambassador to Singapore.

His family has an adopted daughter from China. The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper has reported that Huntsman has performed Mormon missionary work in Taiwan.

Starting his political career as a staff assistant in the Reagan White House, Huntsman worked in the State Department and Commerce Department before his election as governor in 2004, according to his biography on Utah's Web site.

"I wasn't looking for a new job in life, but a call from the president changed that,"
Huntsman said, telling Obama "I humbly accept your call to service."

In introducing Huntsman, Obama stressed the importance of the post, stressing China's clout on the world stage. The president said he "can think of no one better suited to take on this assignment than the governor of the great state of Utah."

Obama said he knew Huntsman's decision to take the job "wouldn't be the easiest decision to explain to some members of his party."

But he said Huntsman "is the kind of leader who puts country ahead of party" and "is always willing to sacrifice on behalf of our nation."

"Throughout his career, Jon has shown a willingness to move beyond the old ideologies and stale debates that all too often bring progress to a standstill," Obama said.

Obama said Huntsman will bring a respect for China's traditions to the job. A White House statement issued just before the formal announcement was made said Huntsman's "long service to the country also prepares him well to be frank with our Chinese friends when we disagree on human rights, democracy, and other matters."

Political views

As governor, Huntsman lists economic development, health-care reform, education and energy security as his top priorities. He has overseen large tax cuts and has advocated reorganizing the way that services are distributed so that the government will not become overwhelmed by the state's fast growing population. Huntsman would like to expand health-care, mainly through the private sector, by using tax breaks and negotiation to keep prices down. He also advocates encouraging people with insurance to use it as preventive care. The governor also sees Utah as being uncompetitive with the rest of the nation in terms of securing the best teachers.

Huntsman is receptive to environmental issues and would like the state to reduce fuel and energy consumption. He is also concerned with nuclear waste being stored within his state. On hot button social issues, such as abortion and gun control, Huntsman generally walks a more conservative line. The same is somewhat true for gay marriage, though he has shown support for civil unions. He also defines his taxation policy as "business friendly." Huntsman has spoken out against his own party over the failure of the Republican-controlled State Senate to confirm his nominee for the Utah Court of Appeals.

Huntsman's name has appeared on some lists of potential Republican nominees for the 2012 presidential election, and John McCain has gone so far as to mention his name as a potential candidate as well.
 

VanC

Well-known member
"Throughout his career, Jon has shown a willingness to move beyond the old ideologies and stale debates that all too often bring progress to a standstill," Obama said.

Wonder why Obama thinks this is important for an ambassador, but not for a president?
 
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