http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-huntsman-20110120,0,3525255.storyObama says he's pleased with the service of Jon Huntsman, a Republican former Utah governor of Utah, and jokes that anyone working for a Democrat would have a hard time in the GOP primaries.
President Obama downplayed speculation that his ambassador to China could challenge him for reelection, joking Wednesday that service in his administration is an unlikely launching pad for a Republican hopeful.
"I couldn't be happier with the ambassador's service, and I'm sure he will be very successful in whatever endeavors he chooses in the future," Obama said, before adding: "I'm sure that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary." The fact that Huntsman accepted the appointment from Obama in 2009 surprised many who thought he was presidential timber, and who felt that joining the Democratic administration ruled out a national campaign of his own for the foreseeable future.
It was therefore just as curious when Huntsman would not rule out challenging Obama during a recent interview with Newsweek.Obama praised Huntsman, a fluent Mandarin speaker, for the "skill, dedication and talent" he has brought to his job.
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