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.
"He's got no chance and he wouldnt be taken seriously as a presidential candidate."
Above and beyond "name recognition," which is being taken care of as we speak, why do you believe this? Over a carpetbagger of a Senator, with far less political experience than Duncan Hunter? And, with significant negatives attached to her own name recognition? Admit it, you just prefer another candidate, and rather than go negative on Duncan Hunter, you've chosen to belittle his "electability." The conventional wisdom is that Senators don't stand a chance at the presidency, but we have a whole slew of them, on both sides. There is no conventional wisdom regarding former mayors, because there is no precedent ... at all. What does that say about Rudy Guiliani, as far as any historical argument? Clearly, the old "rules" are out the window for 2008, so a 14 term Representative, with impeccable Conservative credentials and a House Chairmanship under his belt, is just as credible, or even moreso, than anyone else in the field.
"""It's some of the folks on our side who need convincing..."""
Not this one anymore (or my father). I have shared links on this site and others with my father over the last two weeks and we have decided Duncan is our man!
Our checks are in the mail and more will follow. I have wanted a (real) conservative candidate and I am now convinced he is that guy.
The war on terror
Immigration
The balance of the supreme court
I hope America give Hunter a closer look because he is our best shot to put conservatism in the White House!
You should have the mods take that down and apologize at once.
I hit abuse on his nasty comment and now see it's been deleted.
Well said RC! Bump!
I asked the Admin Moderator to remove my statement. My apologies to all who were offended.
What is it about Duncan Hunter supporters which causes them all to be so delusional? No matter what facts they are presented with, they are able to spin that so and so is so afraid of Duncan Hunter. They ignore him, its because they are afraid. They mention him as a distinct threat, they are so afraid, they call him an extremist, they are so afraid, they call him a long shot, they are so afraid. With all this talk of fear I'm beginning to think that Hunter supporters are just afraid to face the truth. Hunter has no more chance of being nominated, much less winning, than does Dennis Kuninich.
Done a news search on Hunter in the past week?
I hit abuse too. This place sounds worse than Stormfront on so many levels that I've stopped counting. The homosexual rants alone are making me hate my association with the forum.
Do we know how much money Hunter has raised?
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!
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.
And such an anomaly is what we need. It's what can defeat Hillary in the general election; not someone who's only about 25% different from her in positions on the issues, but without the unique demographic pull.
With as much time as there is before even the first primary, you punt-on-first-down types really disgust me. You climb up on this self-righteous horse, speaking down as if no one other than you is capable of evaluating history, statistics, issues or current trends. You proclaim yourselves as good conservatives, and then try to cut the legs from under a solid conservative Republican because you don't have the stomach to take a hand in doing what you can to get him elected - or even seeing that he has a fighting chance.
I know I get a little fired up at times, so if my comments have given offense...
TOO DAMNED BAD
DH4WH
What is it about all the Hunter-can't-possibly-win types that makes them so cowardly?
DH4WH
He needs to take off some weight as well. My check hasn't cleared yet but I'll send another along next month.
You know Dave, if I didn't know better I'd swear that you almost get a woody from coming into these threads and p*ssing all over Duncan Hunter.
Personally, I would have liked to see Jim Gilmore at Fort Benning when he was eighteen. I don't think either of us are going to get our wish.
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