“If Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo or Ron Paul can’t even convince the party faithful to support them, how are they ever supposed to win a General Election?”
What is funny is that campaigns change everything. But the GOP is so preoccupied by the so-called ‘electable, known’ candidates that it equates that they are more well-known to the fact that makes it a sure thing in electability. It will come down to how the candidate campaigns and what they say, how they act and what they have done. I find it ironic that just about everyone who does learn of Duncan Hunter admits how presidential, well spoken and leaderlike he is and how they like him, BUT the GOP voters say he ‘can’t win’. Based on what?? He’s not as well known a name! It’s absurd but the path the GOP seems set on.
If anyone who saw the NH GOP Dinner (and “meet & greet” before) would see how down-to-earth and approachable the man really is. Totally opposite of the unelectable ELITIST RINOS considered “top tier”!
Each candidate must get out there and raise money from like minded folks. Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul have been around a while, if they can't get their message out, that's no one's fault but their own. But maybe folks HAVE looked at them, and decided that they cannot win a general election when more than just solid conservative voters will be doing the choosing. Nothing wrong with practical thinking; it's better than setting the GOP up for a General Election loss.
Duncan Hunter is great. I am not sure why people who don't think Romney is conservative enough would support Fred instead of Duncan. To me, both Fred and Mitt are more conservative than Fred (based on their actual records, not just words).
The only thing I can say is that it DOES come down to electability. It is an "it" factor that one cannot even articulate or quantify. Hunter does not have "it." If he did, I'd be his biggest backer. He does not have what it takes (and what we need) to attract women, independents and Reagan Democrats to our side. It it not his record. It is more his demeanor and delivery. That's sad, I know. But, it's reality.
To me, Hunter and Romney agree on a lot (no amnesty, no funding for abortions, supportive of the war on terror) and Romney provides the best package available to us to advance our cause.
Not since President Reagan has America had what it has in Romney ---- an articulate, charismatic, energetic, conservative leader capable of effectively communicating a positive and hopeful message of conservatism and persuading others to join the conservative cause.
And his record as governor was conservative as is his current platform.
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Hey, I could be wrong and Hunter could miraculously skyrocket to the top. If he does, I hope he picks Mitt for VP!