Posted on 01/25/2007 5:42:41 AM PST by GulfBreeze
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter plans to make his Republican presidential bid official at a Spartanburg, S.C. breakfast meeting Thursday.
The 14-term conservative from California set up his presidential exploratory committee last week.
Hunter has made no secret of his White House aspirations. He announced his intentions in October, becoming the first GOP candidate to declare a presidential run, and then began making stops in early primary states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
He is scheduled to return to New Hampshire on Monday to repeat his announcement.
Little known outside of Congress and his San Diego district, Hunter can use the exposure. He is a strong foe of illegal immigration, an issue that plays well in South Carolina, which has some of the nation's lowest wages as well as one of the country's highest jobless rates as manufacturing jobs leave the state.
Hunter already has some deep-pocketed allies in South Carolina, including textile magnate Roger Milliken, who strongly supports Hunter's promise to protect U.S. manufacturers.
Hunter also wants fences extended along the U.S.-Mexico border and supports the prosecution of smugglers bringing illegal immigrants across the border.
Last week, Hunter filed a bill calling for a congressional pardon of two U.S. Border Patrol agents who are both serving more than a decade in prison for shooting a Mexican drug dealer as he fled, then covering up the crime.
Jose Alonso Compean and his colleague Ignacio Ramos "rightfully pursued a suspected and fleeing drug smuggler. It is irresponsible to punish them with jail time," Hunter said.
Hunter was born in Riverside, Calif., and was an Army Ranger in Vietnam. He worked his way through law school with farming and construction jobs. Hunter won his U.S. House seat in 1980 and has been an ardent military supporter, serving as House Armed Services Committee chairman until Republicans lost control of Congress in November's elections. His son has spent a pair of seven-month tours in Iraq.
© 2007 Associated Press.
They aren't a lobby, the RINOs are now the majority.
That right there is enough for me to be on his team. Beats all the others who are RINOs hand down.
Regards, Ivan
Finally somebody I can support in '08!
"Hunter already has some deep-pocketed allies in South Carolina, including textile magnate Roger Milliken, who strongly supports Hunter's promise to protect U.S. manufacturers."
How does he intend to do this? Anyone?`
IMHO the best way is to reduce regulation and other externalities that drive up costs for manufacturers, not tariffs.
I want t-shirts! Anyone know when his committee will have some for sale?
You know of all those "mentioned" so far, I think Hunter is my top choice too. But I don't think he will still be in the race by the time of the TX primary; so I won't get to vote for him.
Can he also run for reelection to the House? Who knows, that San Diego district may turn Democrat too were he to step down. He obviously cannot win CA in a presidential primary.
"I understand, I like Tancredo a lot but I have had a grudge with him every since he "seemed" to be one of the first Republicans to sink his teeth into Tom DeLay's flesh during his indictment etc.
That whole thing may have been distorted."
It was. It was Delay who broke his promise about a vote for border enforcement. He kept the bill off the floor.
Delay was no great friend of Conservatism. He's the guy who ramrodded all the pork down our throats.
Please add me to the Duncan Hunter ping list!
I agree. This site always is able to fundraise for itself without much trouble, we should be as generous to the guy we would like to see as President. I notice on the poll on the side, quite a lot of people said they would support him. I'm donating.
The South Carolina textile business is already gone. Someone needs to elbow this Milliken fellow and give him the news. It's not coming back until we figure out a way to make it for less than they are selling it.
It's not an argument, it's the history of the office.
Interesting James Webb and Sherrod Brown won Senate seats largely on protectionsit grounds.
It's not something I'm a fan of, but politically, the timing might be right for it.
When 20-30- million Illegals get the vote that will be game over for and hope of a GOP victory.
Didn't you get the memo? The GOP is going to move left of the Dems. We'll buy votes faster than the democrats and offer a free house and new car to anyone speaking spanish who isn't already a citizen.
Tom Tancredo '08
They aren't a lobby, the RINOs are now the majority.
I just heard on the Guili thread last night that the few conservatives left can either get in line or leave.
Was supposed to be addressed to GovernmentIsTheProblem.
Please forgive me.
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