Governor supports McCain for president
What about Mitt? Some ask why the rush with a wide-open field
By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
WASHINGTON - Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has thrown his support behind Sen. John McCain's likely presidential bid, skipping over a fellow Mormon, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who also is gearing up for 2008.
Huntsman will serve as one of many co-chairpersons for McCain's political action committee, Straight Talk America, a prime position for helping McCain garner support in the Western states as the Arizona Republican heads into a possible battle for the White House.
Huntsman was unavailable for an interview Wednesday, but spokesman Mike Mower said the governor and McCain "share common viewpoints on many important issues, such as those impacting the Western states, and have similar viewpoints on international issues."
Mower said the decision to back McCain is not a slight to Romney, but Huntsman and McCain share more common viewpoints.
"We're honored to have his support," McCain's PAC executive director, Craig Goldman, said Wednesday.
Huntsman and McCain have "developed a friendship in a short amount of time," Goldman added, one that was heightened when both recently took a trip to Iraq to visit the troops.
Huntsman will advise the McCain campaign and help identify candidates in the West that McCain should support.
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