Posted on 01/31/2007 8:46:24 AM PST by 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.
When people see and hear him after initially saying "Duncan who?" they are impressed. It happens and that says something and that is something you anti-Hunter fanatics should concern yourself with and obviously are as you try to convince us to stop putting his name out there and supporting him.
They need to be freakin out.Bunch of rinos.I hope DH takes them by storm.
This is anecdote, not evidence. If what you say is true, it should be showing up somewhere such as an independent poll, or fund raising, or crowds at events, etc. You have cited nothing but that Hunter has fans at FR.
...and that is something you anti-Hunter fanatics should concern yourself with...
I am a fanatic for politely asking for evidence that Hunter is viable?
...and obviously are as you try to convince us to stop putting his name out there and supporting him.
I am? I am inviting FR Hunter fans to further put out Hunter's name by citing solid evidence that he is viable. Please, put his name out there! Just cite a little evidence.
That's a start and you need to start somewhere. I'm encouraged by the people just here on FR and other sites I visit and get his name out there, how they will now take a look and when they do look(guess what?) they LIKE! And word of mouth, etc. can only help. Hunter has the goods, comes across as very warm, witty, no nonsense man who would do well in our security situation as his appearance, way he communicates and bearing just scream COMMANDER IN CHIEF. He would put Hillary and Obama or whoever to shame. And I do find you fanatical when you come on these threads and continue to mock not on substance, but he's "only a Congressman", "he can't win". Naysayers show their fear however when you can't keep away and complain. And why don't you cite something better as evidence why Rudy, McCain or Romney make the ideal GOP candidate? We are enthusiastic all-around while your main cause seems to be that they have "name recognition and can win". Don't count on it.
When has a city mayor gone on to be POTUS. drum roll please NEVER
Being elected POTUS means soildifying the base and taking a chunk of the center. The last two elections were down to the wire. As POTUS you govern the whole nation, but the whole nation is never going to elect you.
Some FR threads prior to Nov. and his candidacy.
CNN asks Hunter if people have a right to know what war is like(sniper video, Hunter calling for CNN to be denied embeds with our troops)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1724859/posts
Hunter fires back at U-T article attempting to slander him
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723797/posts
Hunter enters bill to save Soledad cross
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1656838/posts
Hunter promotes fence, Allen sits it out
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1542238/posts
Hunter takes stand for military
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1294971/posts
2 GOP Chairmen at odds over abuse hearing(Hunter, Warner)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1138398/posts
Now back up your talk by donating the $10. You know not of what you speak. Get educated because Hunter has been on the scene for some time and has been an influential member of Congress. I'm from NY and know who he is and when people do learn about him and see him they like him. You can continue with your ignorance on Hunter, just don't act like you know what you're talking about when you clearly don't as shown by these threads.
And look at what I found in the 2 GOP Chairmen at odds thread but my own post and what I wrote about Hunter STILL stands. We could use a lot more Hunters in the GOP and we could definitely use him as our next President.---
I saw Hunter on CNN with Kucinich talking about this abuse scandal and Hunter's in Inhoffe's camp at being disgusted how the media and partisans are taking this scandal. It is turning into a circus. We could use a lot more Hunters in the Republican party.
8 posted on 05/19/2004 11:12:08 AM EDT by bushfamfan
When has a Representative gone on to be president - Not many - if ever! Don't get too excited now.
No man! It is not!
If triangulation pisses you off, you should leave political discussions and shut the door firmly behind you.
Politics is a art form and much like a chess game. The prize is the hearts and minds, or more delicately the perceptions of the mass of voters.
both parties use the device of triangulation or perception creation in a dance that is performed every two years.
You cannot change the fact that it is used, You cannot change politics in a way that makes triangulation unneeded and unused.
Politics is what it is and we have been doing pretty much the same things since the beginning of time. Even the Romans employed this device. Likely the Neanderthal Shaman's did as well.
You are waisting all sorts of energy and time trying to dismiss and criticize the game when the game is all we have and cannot be changed no matter how hard you try.
A total waste of energy and time.
You have two choices as a citizen political activist. You can turn your back on the system, or you work within it.
Standing in the middle of the room whining about how unfair it is will only cause others to move past you and take your position.
This is essentially what happened last November. It is essentially what will happen in 08, unless this political base gets it's act back together.
It is never how you win that is important. There are no lofty principles in politics. This is only a illusion for the masses.
Perhaps one day you will understand....but not today...
Exactly so.....
It is even more dicey today than any time in the written past.
The center is more important to winning then at any time in recent history, yet this political base continues to chew them up and spit them out, burning all the bridges as they go along.
You cannot solidify this base, much less appeal to the center, I fear, and this will guarantee our failure.
Unless something magical occurs, this base is showing every sign that it will not coalesce around any of the announced candidates. The democrats will certainly do so, and that is a fact.
The future may well be written and blind partisans cannot see well into the future, and they distort the past for their own gratification.
I am only trying to point out the obvious. It makes me ill to see what I see.
And what good did that do other than make you FEEL good. God you guys are like female Democrats, whatever makes you feel good, good intentions, etc. Results are immaterial.
When else has there ever been a city mayor known as America's Mayor? When has there been a city mayor with such high name recognition and favorability. 911 changed a lot.
You forgot the last election. If that had been for President we would have a President Hillary right now.
Do you remember Vietnam? Even after we had broken the back of the insurgents (wiped out VC at TET), we pulled out and then reneged on our promises to the South Vietnam government to provide arms and ammunition. Newly elected Dem congress following Watergate cut off funding to Vietnam and North Vietnamese regulars came down swiftly and took over the country. You dont see that about to happen? You have your eyes closed and your fingers and toes crossed. Besides, if this lastest surge doesnt provide real results by the end of the Summer, Bush is going to be looking for a way out.
Brownback is a religious kook who is kind of scary looking. Worst of all, he doesnt support the President on the war in Iraq. Tom Tancredo is just a meglomaniac. The Kingfish reincarnated. He is a hater and a one issue nut case. If he ever became more than a backbencher in congress, it would be the end of the Republican party in this country.
There does that satisfy you. I dont see threads for those longshots but I do see Duncan Hunter is scaring the MSM and the Dems bullshit. We need to get busy and get someone who can actualy defeat the evil Dems. The Dems will be able to do a lot of damage in a short time with House, Senate and the Presidency.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.