TV cameras and dozens of writers and photographers were there to hear the former Utah governor break the nearly two-year political silence he kept as ambassador to China, as he kicked off his five-day tour of the state. The retirees and Dartmouth College students who stopped by to see him were so overwhelmed by the media throng it was impossible to tell just how many actual voters were packed into the private banquet hall at Jesse’s Tavern and Restaurant here.

CNN did live shots from outside the restaurant an hour before Huntsman’s arrival. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, in New Hampshire to shoot a spot for “Good Morning America,” showed up in a black Lincoln town car with a chauffeur — and he earned a handshake and a “Hi, how are you?” greeting from the potential presidential candidate. Huntsman was wearing a TV microphone on his lapel so the show could capture the audio it needed…

But before he even got to that message, Huntsman offered a defense of his time serving as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to China, something sure to raise skeptical eyebrows as he courts Republican primary voters. “I did serve President Obama. I served my president. My president asked me to serve,” he said. “When asked, I do it.”