We're feeling blue today in this reddest of states.Our governor-statesman, Jon Huntsman, Jr., departs today, headed to China as President Obama's nominee as Ambassador
Although you'd think unity would be hard to come by, departing Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., took courageous stands, brought a worldly perspective to this desert state and took great pains to truly represent every citizen.
I met him on several occasions during my tenure at RSL. The first time, on the field before he delivered the ceremonial first kick to launch RSL's franchise in April 2005, we discussed his impressions of soccer during his ambassadorship (and mine, as the son of an ambassador). Later, he opened the doors of the Governor's mansion for a team party (spurred on by goalkeeper DJ Countess' flirtations with one of Huntsman's talented daughters) - and for a reception with Real Madrid on the eve of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2006.
In Huntsman's typical, elegant way, his letter encourages Herbert to rise above the calls from "self-appointed arbiters of morality and virtue, who are the loudest, providing a lot of the cacophony that tends to consume our political dialogue."
Herbert, who from all accounts, is culturally much more conservative and whose actions in the past appear to greatly favor Utah's rural, conservative and yes, LDS, majority - would be wise to heed Huntsman's advice. He delivers his inaugural address today - this Utah voter will be watching.