The reason I say so is because the principal knock on Hunter is that he's unknown. In this essay, he isn't even mentioned as a dark horse. And it's an insider conservative essay. So if he can't even get a mention here...that's quite a row to hoe.
Huck, I can't speak for other Duncan Hunter supporters, just myself. I'm a conservative whose #1 goal is to get a conservative in the White House again. If Fred Thompson throws his hat in the ring, then the chances of getting a conservative elected president will be greatly improved.
I'm going to back the conservative candidate who has the best chance of getting elected. Since I consider Thompson to be far more electable than Rep. Hunter, I would change my allegiance to help achieve my goal.
Would I have regrets? Sure, I don't like Thompson's stand on the immigration issue. But if I allow a gun-grabber like Rudy to be nominated and elected, then I've cut off my nose to spite my face.
A Thompson/Hunter ticket would be very appealing to conservatives, but I think a Thompson/Steele ticket would appeal to not only conservatives, but a much larger chunk of the electorate.
Thompson/Steele has balance in several ways: white/black, south/northeast, older/younger and Protestant/Catholic. And it sends a strong message that the party of Lincoln is in touch with both its roots and its future.
And, like I mentioned earlier, it would give the Dems fits. What are they gonna do, throw Oreos at a black candidate for the vice presidency? That stuff they got away with in Maryland just ain't gonn fly in a national election, especially if Obama is on their ticket!