His speech sounded little like a candidate’s, which was understandable given the setting. But two things were noteworthy. Huntsman spoke about the harsh repression of dissidents in the country he just left, rather than taking note of China’s economic prowess. In fact, he dismissed the idea that China was “the next big thing.” America, he said, still holds the world’s attention…

On Saturday, he couched it as part of his advice to the graduates. If asked, serve your country, he told them, adding: “I was, by a president of a different political party. But in the end, while we might not all be of one party, we are all part of one nation.”

Huntsman, a fluent Mandarin speaker, has dived into preparations for a possible campaign. Last Sunday, he held a series of meetings with his advisers. He later traveled to New York to meet with prospective donors and fundraisers. In South Carolina this weekend, he met with newly elected Republican Gov. Nikki Haley and with state Attorney General Henry McMaster, who praised him effusively.