Flashback: Big names turn down China post

President Obama’s nomination of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) to be U.S. Ambassador to China today sent shockwaves through political circles, where Huntsman was considered a likely candidate for President in 2012.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Obama administration reportedly offered the post (informally) to several Washington diplomatic veterans before settling on Huntsman.

In mid-April, Laura Rozen at ForeignPolicy.com reported that the adminsitration asked both former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and John Podesta, chief of staff to President Clinton and head of Obama’s transition, to take the job. Both reportedly said no.

Citing sources, Rozen mentioned several other foreign policy hands as possibilities, including former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), Ken Lieberthal, former NSC Director for Asia, and retired admiral Bill Owen. Huntsman was, perhaps understandably, not on the list.