Huntsman Resigns, Will Explore Bid

Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah and the current ambassador to China, has submitted a resignation letter to President Obama. He intends to return to the United States by May and will consider running for President.

President Obama appointed Huntsman to his current position in May of 2009. At the time, it was widely suspected that the appointment was partially intended to make it more difficult for Huntsman to compete against Obama in the future. If Huntsman runs, he can expect to face probing questions in the Republican primaries regarding his service in an administration that many conservative activists despise.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed that Huntsman is expected to leave within the first half of this year, and added a warning:

“The President, and I think the American people expect that somebody who holds the post of Ambassador from the United States to China will dedicate their full energy and time to that position, and we believe that Ambassador Huntsman believes that as well.”