Let's see: go through a bruising primary campaign, just to have a chance at going head-to-head against a (likely) popular incumbent president.

OR: take a prestigious job to which you seem uniquely born. Wait for the next election, when there won't be an incumbent. You’ll have serious international credentials, to compliment your (still) positive national resume.

It seems like a no-brainer.

It was a no-brainer indeed. Foreign policy experience dominated the last presidential race (save for the last month or so). Who could dare question soon to be "Ambassador" Jon M. Huntsman's credentials on this issue combined with being a former chief executive of a state, should his political ambitions include a run for the White House?

Is this not truely the Tao - "the way?" : - )