Reagan had been a two-term governor of one the most populous states in the country, and had already run for President four years earlier. Plus, he'd starred in movies.
Duncan Hunter is largely unknown outside his District, Washington DC, and this forum. They're not comparable in any meaningful sense.
But at this point in the election cycle, he was way behind in the polls, and no one thought he had a chance to win the Presidency.
Conservatives who are already throwing up their hands and conceding to Rudy don't seem to have much fight left in them. Unfortunately, if too many are like that, we might as well start monograming the White House towels with donkeys. (Not because Rudy can't beat Hillary, but because Republicans with no fight in them can't win the Presidency.)