Word from St. Paul is that Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's speech has been bumped indefinitely from the Republican National Convention schedule. The shuffle was put down to making space for President Bush to speak.

But the change followed Huntsman's announcing that his speech was going to call for increased environmental activism in the GOP and return to the conservation legacy begun by Teddy Roosevelt.

Huntsman also was quoted with a group of Republican delegates in questioning the accomplishments of the Bush administration. Huntsman diplomatically excused Bush, saying the events following Sept. 11 blocked any development of a traditionally conservative agenda.

All of the oxygen was taken out of the room. There was no real opportunity to build a real party vision. He's done his best trying to manage events that have been thrown at him.

Then comes word Huntsman's tree-hugging speech has been dumped.

Coincidence? I think not.

Jon, an early McCain stalwart, better call in some chips.