Envoy to China stirs presidential buzz

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A new name has emerged in 2012 presidential speculation: Ambassador to China and former Utah Gov. John Huntsman Jr.

The Republican, appointed to the Beijing post by President Barack Obama in August 2009, told Newsweek, "We may have one final run left in our bones."

While saying, "I'm not announcing anything at all," he pointedly did not rule out a presidential run either.

Huntsman is still serving in China, but he drew media attention in Utah by buying a $3.6 million home in Washington this fall.

David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, once cited Huntsman as the only Republican who made him "a wee bit queasy" about 2012, Newsweek reports, but Obama seemed to take him out of the running by sending him to China.

Sources close to Huntsman, requesting anonymity, told the magazine he met in December with former advisers in Washington and Salt Lake City to discuss a potential campaign.

"I'm not saying he's running," said one supporter. "But we're a fire squad; if he says the word, we can get things going fast."

Huntsman was very popular in Utah when he left office and had a pro-business, socially moderate record.