Sure it's early. But if Gov. Jon Huntsman is angling for a GOP presidential run in 2012, things are looking better all the time. The national political media are lovin' on him—"the fastest-rising Republican star you have never heard of."
Even the Brits have noticed Utah's guv. Alex Massie of the The Spectator says Huntsman is "for real."

Huntsman talks about the importance of — gasp! — winning back the intelligentsia, as well as rethinking positions on the environment, science, gay marriage, etc., etc. This is the sort of dangerously sensible thinking that can only lead the Republican party to recovery.

Singapore Jon is even getting good buzz from grassroots conservative bloggers around the country for ripping Republican congressional leadership as "inconsequential." A common reaction is at Nowhere and Everywhere:

Governor Huntsman gives a very refreshing take on what a real party in opposition should do, instead of pouting and behaving like a group of petulant four-year olds. The GOP needs more Huntsmans and fewer Sanfords, Boehners, McConnells . . .

Huntsman's closest competitor, I would argue, was Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, another one of the GOP's bright, young things. Jindal had an opportunity to smoke Huntsman when he was offered the plum job of giving the GOP response to Obama's address to Congress.

Jindal blew it big time. His speech was beyond bad, it was bizzaro weird bad. In what is close to consensus Web opinion, Jindal out-doofused Kenneth, the hillbilly NBC page on 30 Rock.

Next up for Huntsman: Mitt "What Utah?" Romney.