2012 Watch: The 90% Governor

As the year progresses, we'll be dropping in on some of the Republicans who will mature into 2012's presidential crop. Today, Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. of Utah is celebrating his status as the governor of the country's best-managed state, and as the successor to Sarah Palin -- remember when Palin claimed the highest approval ratings among governors in the country?  That distinction belongs to Huntsman, who rates at 90%. 

Huntsman wants to be seen as a conservative problem solver who applies conservative principles to finding solutions to today's issues. He has some foreign policy experience, too, having served as a deputy U.S. trade representative and as ambassador to Singapore -- he speaks fluent Mandarin. From a wealthy and noted LDS church family, Huntsman is personally wealthy and has a great ability to raise money, should he ever find himself needing to raise a lot of money. He hasn't ruled in -- or out -- a 2012 bid. His state-of-the-state address yesterday provides an excuse for a deep-dive into how he sees the world. He certainly has a flair for flourishes, bringing along college football heroes and High School Musical stars to illustrate his points about Utah's toughness and its status as a top movie-making destination.

Here's what the says about health care. It may not register now, but it's a clue about how Republicans will talk about health care in the future.

I'm sorry to have to say it again this year, but skyrocketing healthcare costs are bankrupting businesses and leaving too many Utahns with no options at all.  In a state as compassionate as ours, certainly we can find a better way to cover the uninsured.

I recently visited a public health clinic in St. George. Due to the goodness of volunteer doctors and staff, 10,000 people were seen last year, this in a city of 70,000.  Why?  One out of every seven people in Dixie must go to a volunteer clinic to receive adequate health care?  These people have been completely left out of the healthcare equation; they don't qualify for existing programs, and they can't afford a basic healthcare plan.

So, to Dr. Doxey - who started this volunteer clinic - and the staff there, I say thank you for your humanitarianism.  I assure you and those you serve, we will fix this problem.  We are going to find policies that are affordable, the political will to enact them and, through perseverance, provide a pathway to coverage for everyone.

Therefore, I am asking all involved: doctors, insurance companies, consumers and we in this chamber to close the gap on the uninsured by 2012.