The speculation is swarming over potential vice presidential picks in both the Republican and Democratic parties. On the GOP side, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. is being raised by many as a possibility.

 

Interestingly enough, Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, stopped in Salt Lake City shortly after announcing his run for the White House. And Huntsman has been backing McCain for president since the summer of 2006—before he even entered the race.

 

That Huntsman decided to back McCain—and not former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney who is a fellow Mormon—was surprising to many Utahns. But Huntsman’s staff has said he has more in common with McCain when it comes to Western issues and foreign policy.

 

“His (Huntsman’s) original endorsement was seen (as) a major coup for McCain—Huntsman is Mormon, thus his support was seen as a slap at Mitt Romney,” writes The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, who calls Huntsman the “dark horse pick” for McCain’s veep.

 

In some ways, Huntsman would seem like a good pick. While McCain is 71, Huntsman is just 47 and could help alleviate some of the concerns regarding McCain’s age.

 

Also, McCain is seen by many as not very strong on economic issues. Huntsman comes from a family well-accomplished in business ventures. His father, Jon Huntsman, Sr., is one of the wealthiest people in the state—a billionaire and philanthropist. Huntsman also has made economic issues at the forefront of his tenure thus far as Utah’s governor.

 

According to the Deseret News, Huntsman met McCain in 2005, asking the Arizona senator for assistance in dealing with immigration issues.

 

Lisa Riley Roche writes, “Huntsman, a former U.S. ambassador and trade representative, apparently hit it off with McCain. By March (2006), Huntsman was traveling to Iraq to visit the troops, at McCain’s invitation, as part of a small delegation of governors and members of Congress.”

 

Huntsman also has Republican credentials, having served in the Reagan administration and both Bush administrations.

 

But there are complications for Huntsman in being selected as McCain’s running mate. The state of Utah is heavily Republican, and McCain would not gain any electoral benefit, as he might by picking someone like Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

 

And would Huntsman face much of the same scrutiny that Romney did over his Mormon faith?

 

Whether Huntsman is ultimately chosen or not may come down to the degree McCain would benefit in an electoral sense, but the possibility sure is giving Utahns a lot to ponder.