Personally, I would rather see him as a CofS, since he excells management wise, and I think thats his best place. I'm not to keen on beating up on conservatives (it was in an actual interview that he referred to himself as center-right and right of center) just to get ahead. I'll give him a look, but I don't think his chances are honestly that good.
The reason Huntsman comes across as a moderate with the potential for widespread support is that he’s thoughtful, intelligent, seems like a genuinely good, squeaky clean person and he has integrity. He’s respectful towards others who disagree with him and willing to listen to and work with them.
Issues do matter to some extent, but I think most voters tend to vote on whether they like the guy and whether they get the sense that he will do the right thing in crisis situations. Being a diplomat and making on the spot decisions in unforeseeable situations might not get him the nomination but it would be right down his alley in a general election. He would be considered a liberal Mormon if such a faith category existed in the LDS Church, but the religion question is probably his biggest stumbling block. IMO.