Governor or ambassador?

I do not understand.

Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. of Utah has been named as President Obama’s nominee to be the Ambassador to China.  Gov. Huntsman is a popular governor and he’s considered to be a possible candidate for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012.  Political maneuvering perhaps?  The Daily Beast thinks so and it makes sense.

Huntsman was in Taiwan as an LDS missionary and speaks Mandarin fluently.  He was an ambassador to Singapore in the Bush Sr.’s administration.  He’s obviously qualified for the position but why would a Republican elected to the governor’s office leave for an ambassadorship serving a Democratic administration?  What does this mean for a possible run for the presidency?

Hmmm … I just read the article at the second link.  Perhaps Gov. Huntsman is not so Republican after all?  Perhaps he was actually looking for this new job?  If I were a Utahan who had voted for him, I’d be a bit miffed right now.   Especially given what he said when confronted by his opponent about a possible cabinent position in a McCain administration.  Would he serve out all four years if elected?

“That’s exactly what I intend to do.”

And I obviously am still quite naive about politics since I was also surprised by Hillary accepting Secretary of State.