REP. HUNTER HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES

Wash. Transcript Service ^ | June 14, 2007 | Duncan Hunter

[pissant]

Got it. The liberaltarians know Paul is not gonna go anywhere, I suppose. All 27 of them. LOL

[pissant]

Some of Hunter’s bloodiest battles have been against his own party...including Reagan’s amnesty. Hunter said then exactly what would come to pass.

[pissant]

Sure. But they are likely to be as insignificant as they usually are.

[familyop]

Ah...something else. Many Libertarians tend to get into other parties and their discussions. This is a little off of our discussion about the LP, but it is very interesting, nonetheless.


From Libertarian Republican

Fred Thompson: Pro-Choice Republican
by Eric Dondero

On Abortion: "Government should stay out of it... The ultimate decision must be made by the women... Government should treat its citizens as adults capable of making moral decisions on their own." -- Fred Thompson, July 1994

It's amazing that all of a sudden we're seeing all these Social Conservatives rallying to Fred Thompson as the "Savior" of the GOP. The Social Cons have never fully trusted Rudy Giuliani. All it took was one small misstep by Giuliani the other day on abortion, for them to bail. Now the Blogosphere is loaded with "Run Fred, Run!" articles and posts.

Are the Social Cons ignorant of Thompson's background?

Fred Thompson has always been a solid Pro-Choice Republican.

Back in the early to mid-1990s, there was a raging battle in the Republican Party between the Moderates/Libertarians versus the Religious Right. On one side there was Ann Stone's Republicans For Choice, the Ripon Society, Log Cabin Clubs and the organization that I had founded in 1990 - the Republican Liberty Caucus. On the other side was the Religious Right. The fight was particularly bitter in Southern States like Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas. I can remember setting up Pro-Choice Republican booths at YR Conventions in NC, LA, and GA, and being verbally assaulted by the RR. In some states they even tried to ban me from the conventions.

Tennessee was right smack dab in the middle of it all. The battle was particularly vicious in that State.

The leader of the TN Anti-Religious Right forces at the time was Michael McCloskey. He was a very well-respected Republican activist from the Eastern side of the State. McCloskey was particularly adept at politics. He was articulate, smooth, and quite handsome. Plus, he was well-funded. The RR feared him, immensly.

Needless to say, we in the RLC, linked up with McCloskey pretty quickly when we started organizing our Chapter in the State. Even though he was more of a straight out Moderate Republican we elected him to our National Committee.

McCloskey hosted our National Convention that year in Gatlinburg (near Knoxville). He used the event to gain attention for his anti-Religious Right efforts in the State. And he very cleverly invited a great many prominent Tennessee Republicans (mostly YRs) to attend. National Speakers who attended included Ann Stone, Rich Taefel of the Log Cabin Republicans (Gay & Lesbian GOPers), and Republicans for Marijuana Legalization.

During the same time, Fred Thompson was making noises of running for the US Senate. McCloskey was one of the ones who was influential in recruiting him to run. McCloskey saw him as a Celebrity counter-force to the Religious Right/Pro-Lifers that could win the GOP Nomination.

And the Religious Right, predictably came after Thompson. It was a bitterly fought primary. Thompson's opponent was Religious Rightist John Bakkes. In the end, Thompson's celebrity status carried him through, and he won with 62% to Bakkes's 37%. Many credited McCloskey and his "Young Republican brigades" with helping Thompson's win.

Young Republican Andrew Murphey of E. Memphis was our State RLC Chairman at the time. Murphey worked on Thompson's Senate Campaign. McCloskey got him the job.

In July of 1994, Murphey did an interview with Thompson for Republican Liberty (the official newsletter of the RLC).

In the interview Thompson identified himself as a "Goldwater Republican." At the time being associated with Goldwater, who had just badmouthed Jerry Falwell and was on the outs with the Religious Right, was a codeword for "Moderate/Pro-Choice" or "Libertarian" Republican.

Thompson said in the interview that like Goldwater he was a strong supporter of Middle Class Tax Cuts, Term Limits, School Choice and a Strong Military.

But it was his answer on Abortion that came through loud and clear:

Murphey:

Some conservatives got flustered by your comments on abortion and Roe vs. Wade. Would you like to explain your position on abortion?

Thompson:

Government should stay out of it. No public financing. The ultimate decision must be made by the women. Government should treat its citizens as adults capable of making moral decisions on their own.

The perfect libertarian position.

For us libertarian Republicans it was right-on. But it's only a tiny bit better than Rudy Giuliani's current position. With Giuliani's very recent clarification, only yesterday distancing himself from government funding, the difference is even less if not entirely non-existent.

I'm a big Rudy guy. But if Fred's the Nominee, I'll be perfectly happy. Cause I know that in reality, he's a Pro-Choice Republican.

So either way we libertarian Republicans win. Rudy or Fred: It's the Social Cons, who will have to accept our Pro-Choice Republican candidate for once.

Ironic that their once bitter enemy Fred Thompson is now their Number One Choice of a Standard-bearer. I dare say that alone is a Major Victory for us libertarian Republicans.

*Note - Eric Dondero is the Founder of the Republican Liberty Caucus, and served as the RLC's first National Chairman from 1990-93. He also served as Senior Aide to US Congressman Ron Paul from 1997-2003. He is currently CEO of MainstreamLibertarian.com which covers news of the libertarian Republican movement on a daily basis.

[freekitty]

Love this guy.

[freekitty]

Don’t be surprised if he does a lot better than we are seeing him doing. He and Tancredo are really showing their stuff.

[familyop]

"Got it. The liberaltarians know Paul is not gonna go anywhere, I suppose. All 27 of them. LOL"

...exactly. That's a very good point. However, quite a few of their backers do have a lot of money. That's what it's all about for them (where others of us are more concerned about defense, 2nd Amendment and other issues).

[pissant]

I read this some time ago. This guy is a fool if he supports Rudy. What libertarian streak has he ever displayed. At least Fred has been a reasonably consistent federalist.

[pissant]

No misteps. No two stepping. No dodges. No backtracks. No nuance. Very refreshing.

[Kimberly GG]

“Why is Hunter NOT doing any better in th polling? He is right on target on any of the issues that I’ve read anything about him on.
Instead we get spoon fed Gulianni and McCain in large doses daily by the “talking heads”.”

I can give you my opinion. The MSM has ignored, for example, both Tancredo and Hunter, choosing instead to ‘promote’ Guiliani , McCain, Romney and the others precisely because of the differences in their positions on THIS issue.

Since the day the illegal aliens took to the streets, the media coverage (”talking heads”) has been slanted, imo, heavily in favor of the illegals. Who’s message, other than Tancredo and Hunter, is more specifically detailed, clearly made and polar opposite of the media’s? and so, to be intentionally ignored, out of ‘sight’ from the public. What irritates me more is that doing so conveniently facilitates the “Duncan Who” and “he can’t win” rehetoric that we see even here.

[WildcatClan]

I agree Ron, it’s an uphill climb and “We, the people” will have to do it. Hunter is not playing the right game, it has nothing to with this mans charisma or that no one cares to hear what he has to say. He opposed Reagan on amnesty just as he opposes Bush and he was right both times. He has made some noise about the ChiComs so he will have plenty of red dollars to overcome. Big business will be no friend to him they could care less if the country turns to crap as long as they make some money in the process. The globalists I am sure are not pleased with his tough stand on border security and trade. All the rest are playing the game, playing coy and skirting the issues even the ones who are known for their plain, “tell it like it is” reputations. I am not ready as yet to start searching the skies for Black Helicopters, but something is rotten, and this time it ain’t in Denmark. :)

[WildcatClan]

Sorry Gidget, wrote my post before I saw yours, I should learn to read the whole thread. Who am I kidding, I will never learn, I see a post and I have to reply :) Anyway, thanks for writing what I was thinking and tried to write. :)

[Gvl_M3]

Any link to a video maybe, hopefully??

[beachn4fun]

Hallelujah!

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Immigration ping.

“Hunter slamming amnesty” bump!

[2ndDivisionVet]

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Toll free to the US Senate:

1-800-882-2005. (Spanish number)
1-800-417-7666. (English number)

Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!

[Paperdoll]

>This man needs to be president<

Correction or addition:

WE need this man to be president. No question about it!

[Paperdoll]

Rep. Hunter addresses issues vital to those across conservative, moderate and liberal board. That is why the leftist MSM studiously ignores him.

It is up to us, the people, to get the word out on the man we need above all others to lead us. Write letters to the editor! Get your bumper stickers! Join your Republican caucus! Wear your Hunter Ranger cap and take brochures to distribute! Talk to and email your friends and neighbors! Have fund raising coffees! Get your campaign kits from http://www.gohunter08.com

Together we can do it!
GO DUNCAN HUNTER!

[cripplecreek]

But Sean still seems uneasy

Sean isn't in it for conservatism, he's in it for a win period.

[gidget7]

Not a problem, it can’t be said enough!! LOL