Utah Gov. To Be Ambassador To China

A source close to Utah's Gov. Jon Huntsman said President Barack Obama plans to name the Republican governor as ambassador to China.

The source said Huntsman has accepted the appointment.

An announcement was expected at the White House Saturday morning.

The 49-year old Huntsman is a Mormon who liberalized Utah's restrictive liquor laws and has nudged the state in a more moderate direction on the environment and gay rights.

Huntsman has been mentioned as a potential 2012 presidential contender. He served as ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and has an adopted daughter from China.