OPINION

Huntsman tries to explain calling Obama 'remarkable'

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

Washington (CNN) - In an interview after his presidential announcement Tuesday, former Utah governor and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman tried to downplay a letter he wrote to President Barack Obama in August 2009 calling him a "remarkable leader."

Huntsman told Fox News that he was only alluding to the fact that the president would appoint a Republican to "a position as important and sensitive as the U.S. ambassadorship to China."