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Duncan Hunter's Long-Shot Conservative Bid
RealClearPolitics ^ | George Will

Posted on 02/14/2007 9:42:51 PM PST by Antoninus

WASHINGTON -- When Bob Hunter, a Riverside, Calif., businessman, would hear of a conservative's campaign that needed volunteers, he would pile his family into the station wagon and drive off to ring doorbells. Hunter's son Duncan grew up believing in retail politics.

When Hunter returned home after serving as an alternate Goldwater delegate at the 1964 Republican convention in San Francisco, he told Duncan about chatting with another alternate, an amiable fellow, some actor, named Reagan. Who two years later was elected governor. Duncan learned early on about rapid upward mobility in politics.

In 1969, he dropped out of college, joined the army and was sent to Vietnam. From there he mailed his pay to a friend who purchased for him an island in Idaho's Snake River, where Duncan farmed after his discharge. Then another friend said a San Diego law school would admit him without a college degree. In 1980 he was a lawyer with a storefront office in San Diego's Hispanic community when his father walked in and told him he could be a congressman. Never mind, his father said, that this district was only 29 percent Republican. Reagan was at the top of the ticket.

Duncan says his Baptist minister, respecting the separation of church and state, told parishioners they should vote for the Reagan of their choice. They distributed 400,000 Duncan brochures. Today Duncan is in his 14th term representing eastern San Diego County. Three weeks ago he formally launched his presidential candidacy.

Why does he think he can become the first House member elected president since James Garfield in 1880? Why does he think he can do better than the two strongest House candidates in recent elections?...

"For some candidates,'' Hunter says, "the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it is my hope.''

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; badfortrade; duncanhunter; duncanwho; election; fringe; hunter; president; protectionist; unelectable
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I don't agree with Will's gloomy assessment of Hunter's chances. But this is a great article, overall.

People are starting to take notice.

1 posted on 02/14/2007 9:42:55 PM PST by Antoninus
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To: Fierce Allegiance; 230FMJ; abigailsmybaby; afnamvet; Afronaut; airborne; alicewonders; AngryJawa; ..
Ping...




"How can I help?"

Get informed: Duncan Hunter on the Issues

Sign up: Freepmail me to join the Duncan Hunter Pinglist

Or Freepmail seanmerc to join the Veterans for Hunter Pinglist

Put your money where your values are: Contribute to Duncan Hunter's Presidential Campaign
2 posted on 02/14/2007 9:46:08 PM PST by Antoninus ( Who is Duncan Hunter? Find out....www.gohunter08.com)
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To: Antoninus

Long ways to the Election


3 posted on 02/14/2007 9:48:17 PM PST by neverhillorat (IF THE RATS WIN, WE ALL LOSE)
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To: Antoninus

Thanks for the new tagline, Rep. Hunter!


4 posted on 02/14/2007 9:48:20 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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To: neverhillorat
Long ways to the Election

An avalanche starts with a single snowflake...
5 posted on 02/14/2007 9:49:06 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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To: neverhillorat
Yep. It sure is, isn't it?

This will be one campaign I'll be proud to work for!

6 posted on 02/14/2007 9:50:53 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (DUNCAN HUNTER FOR PRESIDENT! http://www.gohunter08.com/Home.aspx)
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To: Antoninus

"An avalanche starts with a single snowflake...'

...and doesn't last very long.
Hillary did the nation a disservice by declaring so early, and maybe herself. I'm not the only one burned out on politics.


7 posted on 02/14/2007 9:51:38 PM PST by gcruse (http://garycruse.blogspot.com/)
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To: Antoninus

When you are interested in something you do it only when it is convenient.
When you are committed, you accept only results, not excuses.

Ken Blanchard


8 posted on 02/14/2007 9:51:46 PM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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To: Antoninus

Paying attention to Duncan Hunter.


9 posted on 02/14/2007 9:53:14 PM PST by 4Godsoloved..Hegave
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To: gcruse

If it wasnt for Duncan Hunter, Id already be burned out too.

I think he's more like a spark and once he really gets out there hes going to take off like a wild fire:-)

Go Hunter!!!


10 posted on 02/14/2007 10:01:40 PM PST by OMalley (Just say NO to Rudy "Tootsie" Giuliani-GO Duncan Hunter 08...HI MOM:))
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To: Antoninus

It sure is nice being able to support someone for president who doesn't have to become a conservative but has been one his whole life!

Don't know much about his wife, but I like her sense of humor.

What happens because of the compressed primaries if a candidate is nominated and the base angrily rise up in protest? Like what happened with Harriet Meiers?


11 posted on 02/14/2007 10:01:46 PM PST by upsdriver ((Hunter for Pres/ Ann Coulter Sec, of State))
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To: gcruse
...and doesn't last very long.

But it sweeps everything before it.

Hillary did the nation a disservice by declaring so early, and maybe herself. I'm not the only one burned out on politics.

If you were a Hunter supporter, I'd be worried, frankly.
12 posted on 02/14/2007 10:05:25 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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To: Brad's Gramma

Last time I bumped you to the top, I got reamed........

so I merely concur with you : )


13 posted on 02/14/2007 10:05:36 PM PST by stephenjohnbanker (Reagan would vote for Hunter)
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To: upsdriver

Another thing! Did George Will have this column ghostwriten by someone else? I understood all the words!


14 posted on 02/14/2007 10:06:38 PM PST by upsdriver ((Hunter for Pres/ Ann Coulter Sec, of State))
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To: Antoninus
People are starting to take notice.

My one boss is basically a socialist/democrat. He listens to Air America just about all day long. He's not psyched for Obama or Hillary.

I asked him, "Do you know who Duncan Hunter is?" He said, "yeah, the chair of the Armed Services guy. Seems very common sense. Knowledgable on defense issues."

He knew more about Hunter than me, and despite Hunter's conservative credentials, he seemed to like him because he has common sense, and talks straight. I almost fell out of my chair.

15 posted on 02/14/2007 10:08:38 PM PST by sockmonkey
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To: upsdriver
What happens because of the compressed primaries if a candidate is nominated and the base angrily rise up in protest? Like what happened with Harriet Meiers?

We've got a full year to make sure that happens.

It's also vital that we keep all three heads of the Rudy McRomney hydra in the race as long as possible. With them splitting the liberal Republican and "politics over principles" vote, a conservative dark horse like Hunter could sneak up on them and beat them in a 4-way race.
16 posted on 02/14/2007 10:08:47 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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To: Antoninus
I will grant you Antoninus, that a column from George Will is a solid PR achievement for DH.

And please note, that I had nothing to do with getting this thread started.

It has been tough not doing any bashing. I've used the time to get to know my family better-- my but my boys have grown! Luckily, March 1 will be here soon enough. My only worry is that (according to the article) with DH's candidacy having only so far raised a mere $300,000 in "pledges", that by March 1st there may not be any campaign left for me on to bash! ;-)

17 posted on 02/14/2007 10:09:48 PM PST by Plutarch
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To: sockmonkey
He knew more about Hunter than me, and despite Hunter's conservative credentials, he seemed to like him because he has common sense, and talks straight. I almost fell out of my chair.

I think Hunter would end up with a lot of yellow-dog and blue-collar Democrat votes. Which means he'd put the Rust Belt in play, big time.
18 posted on 02/14/2007 10:10:17 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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To: sockmonkey

I would think that a socialist/democrat and commonsense would be mutually exclusive!


19 posted on 02/14/2007 10:11:33 PM PST by upsdriver ((Hunter for Pres/ Ann Coulter Sec, of State))
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To: Plutarch
And please note, that I had nothing to do with getting this thread started.

I notice that thread got moved to "chat" where it belongs. Nothing but a vanity with a lot of the usual suspects on there.
20 posted on 02/14/2007 10:12:55 PM PST by Antoninus ("For some, the conservative constituency is an inconvenience. For me, it's my hope" -Duncan Hunter)
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