I know it's still early in the '08 Presidential race, but I will ask these questions anyways: What are people's views about either a possible Fred Thompson/Duncan Hunter Presidential ticket or a Duncan Hunter/Fred Thompson Presidential ticket? How does Duncan Hunter truly plan to successfully become a "first tier" GOP Presidential candidate with eventually enough money and eventually enough name recognition to really have a chance of seriously winning? How does Duncan Hunter fully explain his entire Congressional voting record for "out of control spending" on a variety of Congressional legislation? Why did Hunter vote for Meehan's/Shay's "Campaign Finance Reform" legislation which both takes away from free speech and also created the still ongoing problems with the "527" special interest groups?
You ask a lot of questions but give no bill reference #'s or anything to address with an answer. You also assume too much with your 'out of control' spending innuendo. How about all Hunter has done to control spending?
[snip] Taxpayers Praise Veto-Proof Caucus
Rep. Chris Cox (R-Calif.) leads group of 151 House members who vow to uphold a presidential veto on excessive spending measures .
WASHINGTON - For many, the war on terrorism meant a war against fiscal discipline in Congress. But some House members have shown that this needs not be the case.
Today, Rep. Chris Cox (R-Calif.) announced that 151 House members have pledged to uphold a presidential veto of excessive spending bills during the appropriations process of the coming weeks. The members pledged this in a joint letter to President George W. Bush.
"This is a bold move by bold members in a Congress that is slouching toward a shameless spending spree at the expense of the American taxpayer,"
The letter, which was signed by 151 House members, reads:
"To win the War on Terrorism and sustain economic growth, the federal government must control spending. To this end, we will sustain your veto of any supplemental appropriation legislation that: Requires that you spend in excess of $27.1 billion, the amount of emergency 2002 supplemental spending you requested; or Provides less than you requested to win the War on Terrorism, or to rebuild New York. The bill passed by the House on May 24 by a vote of 280-138 meets these criteria. We write to show our strong support for holding the line on excessive government spending."
73. Duncan Hunter
http://www.atr.org/content/html/2002/jun/062802pr.html
STATEMENT OF REP. HUNTER IN VOTING AGAINST THE TRANSPORTATION BILL
The House and Senate approved a $218 billion transportation funding bill which included billions of dollars in questionable, non-transportation funding. A list of some of those projects follows Rep. Duncan Hunter's (R-CA) statement.
"At a time when the Army faces a shortage of $1.7 billion in basic ammunition and our Marines are short $193 million, the highway bill contains $9 billion in funding for such things as a botanical garden, museum exhibits and a film on ‘infrastructure awareness.'
"While I support funding to build and repair our highways and this bill has many good projects, I could not in good conscience vote for legislation which overspends the balanced budget and will possibly take money away from our national defense."http://www.house.gov/hunter/news_prior_2006/hiway.htm
HUNTER “ CHALLENGE” PROGRAM BEGINS AT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Washington, D.C. – The Department of Defense (DOD) will begin implementing an innovative acquisition program Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-52) created in the fiscal year 2003 defense authorization bill. This program, the Defense Acquisition Challenge Program, will allow companies, individuals or defense agencies to challenge existing DOD programs with their products and/or services.
“This program will enable the Pentagon to find the most qualified and cost efficient companies to provide the military with the private services they require,” said Congressman Hunter, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “This approach will either eliminate unnecessary spending, or validate the companies with which the DOD is doing business. Both are positive results.”
http://www.house.gov/hunter/news_prior_2006/challengeprogram.html
HUNTER VOTES FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) voted in support of H.R. 4241 (Nussle-IA), the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. This legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 217-215, achieves a net savings of over $50 billion in mandatory spending programs, while also streamlining and reforming several government program http://www.house.gov/hunter/news_prior_2006/buget.vote.release.html
3. Balanced Budget Duncan Hunter I support a balanced federal budget, with additional revenue provided by economic growth, not increased taxes. Further, I support limiting growth in non-defense areas.
Budgetary savings must be identified through efficiency reforms throughout the federal government. Furthermore, we must aggressively attack the creation and funding of duplicative federal programs, many of which simply do not perform but cost taxpayers millions of their hard-earned dollars. According to Office of Management and Budget, 28% of federal programs are either ineffective or have results that are not demonstrated. Reforming, combining or eliminating those programs remains among my highest legislative priorities.
http://sacredcow.wordpress.com/2007/03/04/duncan-hunter-budget-and-economy/
Last year, Hunter sought to eliminate the entire $1 billion the department requested for privatization. Eventually, Congress provided $200 million, including about $115 million for the Hanford wastes.
"He has cut it before and is looking for money," said Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., after Tuesday's meeting with Hunter. "I am concerned about this."
Both Dicks and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., whose district includes Hanford, said Hunter is under tremendous pressure to find money to increase defense spending. "He's in a bind," Hastings said. "But I'm confident we will be OK."
Hastings said Hunter has been "very accommodating," so far, and added he and other lawmakers will continue to talk with Hunter and other members of the subcommittee and the full National Security Committee. Hunter said Hastings has been making an effective case against cleanup cuts but emphasized he has made no final decisions.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/oldnews/1998/0429.html