Posted on 01/25/2007 5:07:02 AM PST by radar101
NORTH COUNTY -- Twenty-four hours before he formally launches his campaign for the job as the nation's chief executive, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter was working the phones, securing nearly $300,000 in campaign pledges to help fund his uphill bid for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.
This morning, Hunter will tell more than 200 people at a fundraising breakfast in South Carolina that he will run a campaign that seeks to appeal to traditional Republican values.
"I will lead with a firm commitment to the ongoing war against terrorists, a policy of economic opportunity for all Americans and a reaffirmation of the principles and faith of our founding fathers," Hunter said in official statement provided to the North County Times on Wednesday.
A 260-seat hotel banquet room in Spartanburg where Hunter will deliver an address, titled "America: The Strength of Freedom," has been sold out at a price of $250 a plate.
The 13-term El Cajon Republican announced in November that he was considering a run for the presidency, formalizing the bid two weeks ago with the establishment of a presidential exploratory committee that allows him to raise and spend money.
His long-shot effort in a crowded Republican field is being largely dismissed by national political writers, but others aren't so quick to write off his appeal to conservative voters. On Monday, Republican and former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, now a political analyst on CNN, said Hunter is one to watch.
Earlier this month, Hunter captured a straw poll of precinct committee officers in Arizona's Maricopa County, coming out ahead of the state's own GOP senator, John McCain, when party officials in the state's most populace country were asked to state their No. 1 presidential preference.
That slice of good news and an abiding optimism seem to be fueling Hunter's candidacy despite facing much better financed and wider known Republicans such as McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Michael Toner, chairman of the Federal Election Commission, said he believes presidential hopefuls would need to raise at least $100 million to mount a realistic candidacy.
That kind of entry fee doesn't daunt Hunter, whose own spokesman said last week that his effort had about "$999,999" to go to raise that kind of money.
"I'm not impressed with the dollars of the other candidates," Hunter said Wednesday during a telephone interview shortly before he hopped a plane in Washington for the short flight to South Carolina.
The 58-year-old former chairman and 26-year veteran of the House Armed Services Committee is running TV commercials to boost his name recognition in South Carolina and will spend the next two days in a recreational vehicle visiting its towns and cities.
His announcement today will focus on national security, border issues and "strength through freedom," said Hunter, whose congressional district includes portions of North County.
"My campaign is about a new American sunrise of opportunity, faith and freedom," he said.
Spartanburg County GOP Chairman Rick Beltram has said that no Republican candidate who has lost his county's primary has gone on to capture the party's nomination.
Hunter said commercials also will soon start airing in New Hampshire and Iowa, two other early primary states.
While his official entry into the presidential sweepstakes is being noted by the Republican Party of San Diego County, don't look for any kind of "favorite son" backing. Chairman Ron Nehring said Wednesday that policy prohibits the local party from making any pre-primary endorsements.
"The issues that Duncan Hunter is going to talk about are issues that are on everyone's mind -- the economy, immigration, the war on terror and national defense," Nehring said. "I think we will have a very lively discussion and there certainly is no shortage of candidates."
Nehring is set to become the next chairman of the California Republican Party when the organization meets in Sacramento in two weeks. The current vice chairman, Nehring is unopposed in his effort to lead the state party.
Like the coming rise in Nehring's political profile, California's stock in presidential politics is on the upswing. The governor and state legislators are near a deal to move the state's presidential primary from June to Feb. 5, Nehring said. That would make the Golden State and the huge number of delegates it would deliver to winners of its presidential primary a key early test.
The first state in the 2008 slate of presidential primaries and caucuses is Iowa, which conducts its polling on Jan. 14 followed by Nevada on Jan. 19.
The New Hampshire primary takes place on Jan. 22 followed by South Carolina on Jan. 29 and than a super Tuesday of elections that would feature California, if the Feb. 5 date is adopted, as well as 11 other states.
-- Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Hmmm. I heard Romney raised $6.5 million on his first day.
bump
Regards, Ivan
I live in Iowa and just a few minutes ago, there was an ad on a local TV station by Hunter. He was by the fence near San Diego claiming the fence works and says we need to build more fence. He was promoting a website. I don't remember the address. To me, the ad seemed effective.
I like him already; especially the first part of his statement. Who is he?
I like this guy. I'm going to be frank with my fellow freepers. Never, in my life have I been more afraid of mine and my families future than today. There is an evil in Congress and the Senate that we joke about but the bottom line? We're all scared shi$$ess of the possibilities. Obama?! Hillary?! Unacceptable! I'm going to pledge $1,000 of non-tax deductible dollars to Duncan Hunter. I'm honestly considering donating up to 10% of my income over the next 18 months. (I'll replace my church donations. I believe God will understand) I call on all of you to make similar donations to Duncan Hunter!
Can Hunter be a ruthless SOB?
The only thing that matters in 08.
"I believe God will understand"
IMO, money well spent. He seems to be the ONLY candidate who listens to the voters.
Amen to that! I've stated before on this website, I am truly frightened for my childrens future. They will not have a United States of America. The change is happening so quickly and the corruption is so blatant, it's scary. My kids are not babies by the way, they are 16,15 and 10. I definately like what I hear about Duncan Hunter, so far he's the man I would vote for. Unfortunately the media loves McCain, Rudy and Romney. No mention of Hunter, yet.
bttt
Albie,
I agree and have already donated to Hunter's campaign. While there are no perfect candidates, Hunter, in my view is head and shoulders above McCain, Romney etc. I used to work on the "Hill" in the 80's and Hunter was one of those few people of integrity up there.
I will work very hard for this guy and believe very much that he's got what it takes to lead our country.
ANYBODY but Brownback (R-La raza)
Hadn't seen this posted here yet
http://www.gohunter08.com/Home.aspx
Its like Hunter said, Romney needs all that money to hire consultants to try and make him look conservative.
Thankfully its not working.
Note to the Media ---- A John McCain for President Yard Sign will NEVER cast it's shadow on the front lawns of American Republican voters, so get over it and pay some attention to some of our other fine candidates.
Remember it's at http://www.gohunter08.com
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