Philadelphia » Beyond an initial "feeling-out conversation" the transition team for President-elect Barack Obama has not been in contact with Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Obama has said he will appoint Republicans to his Cabinet and possibly other high-profile positions. Some believed Huntsman would be a possible choice for energy secretary, because he has been active on the issue of climate change, or maybe U.S. ambassador to China, because he is well-versed in the politics of the region and speaks Mandarin.

But those spots may not be in Huntsman's long-term political interests. Many Washington pundits consider Huntsman a rising star in the Republican Party, maybe even a candidate for president in 2012.

Huntsman, a former U.S. ambassador, said Tuesday that he doesn't expect Obama to offer him a job.

"I never expected it to go anywhere," he said. "But you can't forestall the idle chatter."

Huntsman has promised that his second-term as Utah's governor will be his last. He will leave that post in 2012.

mcanham@sltrib.com