Political analyst says [Duncan] Hunter can move into GOP top tier

Hunter for President website ^ | 1/31/07 | OneNewsNow.com

[Antoninus]

Political analyst and former Democrat insider Keith Thompson says even though Duncan Hunter is considered a long-shot for the White House, the California congressman could move into the top tier of GOP hopefuls as the 2008 presidential campaign progresses.

Hunter officially entered the 2008 presidential "sweepstakes" last week, Thompson notes. He says the candidate, as the former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has a strong conservative voting record working in his favor; and he is particularly known for his support of the military and his opposition to illegal immigration.

For these reasons, Thompson feels the California representative is at the top of the second tier of Republican hopefuls right now and is capable of moving up. Hunter has "a fairly decent financial base right now [and] some key supporters who are helping him get his campaign to the next level," the political analyst points out; "so I think he could come right into that first tier very quickly and be a significant candidate for the nomination."

Hunter's biggest problem is name recognition, Thompson acknowledges. He says that is one advantage early GOP favorites John McCain and Rudy Giuliani have over the California lawmaker.

But even though Hunter does not come in with the years of exposure that those virtually "mythological figures" have, Thompson observes, he says "the name recognition factor could change," and Hunter could become a force to be reckoned with in the coming 2008 presidential campaign.

[Dave S]

Tell us why you think your choice for pubbie candidate would make a president?

My three: McCain, Giuliani, and Romney, all have a strong chance of winning the general election. That is something that Hunter supporters cant say.

[Fiddlstix]

Free Republic Opinion Poll: If the short list for Republican Nominee were narrowed down to the following, which one would you favor?

Composite Opinion
Duncan Hunter	26.3%		745
Newt Gingrich	25.8%		732
Rudy Giuliani	14.0%		397
Tom Tancredo	12.0%		341
Undecided/pass	7.1%		200
Mitt Romney	6.8%		194
Ron Paul	6.2%		176
John McCain	1.8%		51
	100.0%		2,836
Member Opinion
Duncan Hunter	31.2%		469
Newt Gingrich	24.2%		363
Rudy Giuliani	13.0%		196
Tom Tancredo	10.3%		154
Undecided/pass	7.7%		116
Mitt Romney	7.0%		105
Ron Paul	5.1%		77
John McCain	1.5%		22
	100.0%		1,502
Non-Member Opinion
Newt Gingrich	27.7%		369
Duncan Hunter	20.7%		276
Rudy Giuliani	15.1%		201
Tom Tancredo	14.0%		187
Ron Paul	7.4%		99
Mitt Romney	6.7%		89
Undecided/pass	6.3%		84
John McCain	2.2%		29
	100.1%		1,334

[ More Opinion Polls · Return to Forum ]

[dirtboy]

This place sounds worse than Stormfront on so many levels

Nothing like complaining about someone calling a few people Nazis ... by saying other people are Nazis.

I know you're not this funny on purpose.

[Antoninus]

Referring to other posters as nazis is over the top. I see that the posted realizes that now.

It's hyperbole. Boy, you people are mega-sensitive. You're offended almost as easily as liberals.

I can't count the number of times that religious folks have been likened to the Taliban on FR--sometimes by some of the very people complaining about the "Rudy-Nazi" comment.

[NapkinUser]

"You know, this is what the heck is wrong with people like you. You just make stuff up out of thin air. Get lost."

You're the one here comparing some Freepers to Stormfront.

[Antoninus]

After all the attacks and nasty language used against me last night, I was hostile today. I admit it. I refuse to wallow in the mud with them. Thanks for the laugh, though. Rehab it will be!

Don't let them get to you. They can dish it out, but they can't take it, apparently.

[Dave S]

It is not because of the candidate. It is because no candidate will be able to put our fractured base back together. This base is shattered.

Agreed. Of those running Romney probably has the best chance of doing that. Newt has great ideas but he would be massacred by the MSM. Never have a chance to get his message out. He would constantly be on defense. He is probably only person with as many negatives as Hillary, except perhaps Cheney.

[Antoninus]

Just as much as I was from the black guy and the Focus on the Family guy who ran against Bush in 2000. Neither had a chance in hell. No, it would be funny except that I dont find delusion very attractive.

Neither of those guys had ever been elected to any office before. Neither of them was a decorated Vietnam Vet. Neither of them had a son who served in Iraq.

Duncan Hunter is the real deal. The mere fact that you post obsessively on the DH threads tells me all I need to know....

[Antoninus]

Do we know how much money Hunter has raised?

I don't. But I'd be curious to find out....

[Dave S]

One of the abortion-lovers fans referred to hunter supporters as KKK members. that comment is still up. What is your opinion on that?

Totally stupid comment. I dont think you are KKK members. I do think you are misleading yourself about electability. Why dont you hit abuse since youve seen it?

[processing please hold]

hillery and obama will no more be president than I will.

FReepers need to stop throwing them into the equation, all it does is divide us on choosing a Presidential candidate.

Hunter is the best there is. It almost killed me to vote for Hunter over Tancredo, but, I did. We will support him on this end. More FReepers need to stop squabbling and get behind Hunter and start pushing him to the forefront.

The left hates him, they want to have Rudy or mcpain running. That should tell us something. As long as they(left) can keep us fighting amongst ourselves, we'll never be able to present a viable and good candidate. They want to divide the conservative vote-it helps their side.

[william clark]

Nice leftist-style dodge of ignoring a rebuttal to your original contention, which was that the MSM wouldn't provide any free publicity to Hunter's candidacy.

DH4WH

[MSF BU]

"Is Hunter the most conservative running, based his published record?"

That depends how you define conservative. He is the only candidate to have worked on the Reagan 76 and Reagan 80 primary campaigns; that's usually a good indicator. In terms of temperment and the likelihood of doing things that Ronald Reagan would have done, he's up there.

Head to head against Hillary or Obama, I don't know. I think both Hillary and Obama are over rated right now. My guess is that Hunter would ensure a good turnout of the Republican base plus his life story may attract a lot of disaffected voters.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Thin air? LMAO! I asked a question based DIRECTLY on your comment. Do you support the gay agenda? Rudy does, and it appears as though you do by your comments. I merely asked for a clarification.

[Fierce Allegiance]

LOL! Nice reference!

[TommyDale]

Thanks!

[johnthebaptistmoore]

What would successfully get Hunter into the top tier?

[Antoninus]

Since the assinine remark in #3 was removed I suppose the moderator is a "rudynazi" too.

It was removed because the poster asked for it to be removed.

Some of you guys *really* need to grow thicker skins. When the MSM goes into assault mode against Giuliani if he (God forbid!) gets the nomination, crying "I'm offended!" won't cut it.

[Dave S]

Actually Dave, he's had "executive experience" leading men in combat. How's that sound.

It's a start but unless he was a General or field commander of somekind, it doesnt give him much experience in dealing with big beauracracies.

His district wasn't a "slam dunk" reelection proposition when the democrats controlled it...

Reagan Democrats? Condit Democrats. Blue Dog Democrats? Even if true, that means he hasnt had to run a true competitive race for what fourteen years?

[william clark]

I could list dozens of reasons why Hunter could not beat Hillary in a head to head race. Dozens..........

Bring 'em on. And then I'll tell you why they're based on false assumptions and a general shortsightedness.

DH4WH