Duncan Hunter might be a great VP - if his role is to take certain issues and become the front man - immigration is a great example. He is not shy.
Also Duncan Hunter might be an exceptional cabinet officer - SECDEF - perhaps.
Like you say - assuming he does not get the nomination himself - you never know - long long way to go.
Being active in the primaries is the only way conservatives are going to rid the parties of fakes and thieves ... we show our interest by being active in the nomination process. Politicians do notice that ...