Posted on 08/18/2007 8:08:42 AM PDT by Califreak
Hunter Pledges To Build Border Fence In Six Months By: Joe Murray, The Bulletin 08/16/2007
Las Vegas - On Tuesday night, it wasn't the ring of the slot machines or the glow of the neon lights that was attracting the attention at Arizona Charlie's, a small casino a few miles off the famed Vegas Strip. Rather, it was the pledge of Duncan Hunter, a California congressman and GOP presidential hopeful, to build the 854 miles of border fence signed into law last year within six months of his election that won hearts and, quite possibly, votes of the Las Vegas crowd. Despite a poor showing at the Iowa Straw Poll last week - Hunter placed ninth with 174 votes - the determined congressman wasted no time jumping back on the saddle and taking his message of border security to Nevada. And while Hunter may not have been the big recipient of Iowa votes, his message of border security, national sovereignty and a renewal of conservative values was warmly received by the crowd of over 100 people. Representing a part of San Diego, Hunter has been dealing with the immigration crisis since he came into office with the Reagan Revolution in 1980. Recognizing that San Diego's border was a "no-man's land" and a major "smuggler's corridor" controlled by "armed gangs," Hunter took action to secure the border. "The border was so bad," explained Hunter, "that plainclothes San Diego police officers used to dress as illegal aliens and wait for the border gangs to attack them." With rapes, murders and robberies in the stratosphere, Hunter fought for, and won, a triple border fence in 1996. Hunter's triple-layered fence consisted of a fence on the border, then a border patrol road, another fence, followed by a border patrol road, and then the final fence. Hunter explained that the Clinton administration was apprehensive about building the third layer, so a deal was struck that only the two layers who be built and the third layer would be built only if there was a need. According to the California Congressman, there was never a need. "It has worked so well that we have reduced smuggling in that area by 90 percent," stated Hunter. "When we finished doing that fence, murders dropped dramatically. ... It has literally saved lives. ... Crime went down 53 percent." Knowing his fence is a success, Hunter had some words for CNN's Wolf Blitzer over his characterization of the fence. "I have to keep reminding Wolf Blitzer that that our fence is not that little straggly fence they show all the time on CNN. I have said that if someone can climb my fence, we need to sign them up for the Olympics," Hunter said. Hunter is a solid conservative and does not try to hide that fact. Rather, it is his conservative charm that has attracted a number of new faces to his campaign. "I am a very political guy and wear a political hat. ... I am a partisan Republican," Hunter said. But on the issue of immigration, specifically the extension of his border security fence that was passed by Congress and signed by the president, Hunter makes his dissatisfaction with the White House known. "Last year, I wrote the law to extend that fence 854 miles. ... Only 13.4 miles of the 854 miles has been built," asserted Hunter. "As president of the United States we will build this entire fence ... all 854 miles ... in six months. That is my commitment to you." Hunter told the crowd of border security activists that there was no reason for the delay and the excuses of Michael Chertoff, secretary of homeland security, failed to withstand scrutiny. "When asked why he has not built the fence, Mr. Chertoff stated that the issue was complicated. I am sure glad that he is not part of the space program or we would never have gotten a man on the moon," Hunter said. While others try and shape the immigration debate in terms of xenophobia, Hunter told the audience that such arguments are red herrings and that border security is a matter of national security. "In 2005, the border patrol captured 155,000 people crossing the southern border that were not from Mexico. ... 1,100 were from China," stated Hunter. "Everyone in the world knows the way to get into this country is not through an airport, but to cross the southern border." Hunter told the crowd that the southern border was a "major vulnerability" and that U.S. policy toward the border is mind-numbing. "It makes no sense that we are trying to figure out how to secure the Iraq/Syria border while our own border is vulnerable," asserted Hunter. And while some critics argue the fence, which will cost $3 billion, is too expensive, Hunter says the fence is worth every penny. "Right now we have 250,000 illegal immigrants in jail and we spend $3 billion on incarcerations costs. ... We can't afford not to build the border fence," proclaimed Hunter. While the issue of the border fence constituted a huge portion of Hunter's 40-minute presentation, it was not the only issue discussed. Hunter expressed his discontent with the NAFTA Highway, a 12-lane super highway that would connect Mexico with Canada, cutting right through the heartland of the United States. Hunter noted he offered an amendment barring the administration from building this highway, arguing that it is foolish to let Mexican truck drivers on American roads. "We will have people behind the wheel with criminal records and have no way of knowing about it," commented Hunter. And on the same token, Hunter said he would like to see NAFTA repealed. Hunter also said that as president he would pardon Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, the border security agents jailed for trying to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler. As for the 12 million illegal immigrants already in the nation, Hunter told the crowd, "They have to go home." Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us.
A little difficult to read (needs some paragraphs) but a great article on anti-illegal immigration and Duncan Hunter. Man oh man I wish this guy would come up in the polls. He's still my first and best choice.
“Man oh man I wish this guy would come up in the polls.”
Keep on spreading the word and he surely will.
I love the idea that someone would build the fence, but [and I hate to throw a wet blanket on this] where is he going to get the money for this. Congress controls the checkbook and if they will not realse the funds for this majorly needed project, then it is all hot air for us...
They have the money allocated for it. They’re just sitting on it.
What Hunter should do to gain noteriety:
Attend the debate: Use the first question as a segway/rant into how the only important issue for him would be a border fence. He will have to talk over the moderating communist to do this.
If he sits there and answers his position on Issue A for 15 seconds he’s spinning his wheels. People will notice him more if he’s more brazen and forceful with the debates.
If I am right that money were re-allocated for some other border type perject and not for the fence any more. Anyway congress has to relsease those funds [if they exist any more] anyway, and I don’t see that happening anytime this century....
Now waiting for the Hunter-bashers to come in and carp about the “issues” and “reality”!
Paragraphs are your friend...
Good thread, but to go a bit beyond the Evening Bulletin’s report, the personal count of an attender had the crowd at 160, not about 100, 2nd Amendment and conservatives who attended specifically to hear Rep. Hunter speak.
The Bulletin failed to report that he addressed far more than just the illegal immigration-open border situation. According to their response, the crowd liked what Duncan Hunter had to say. He will likely make a return appearance in the near future.
Duncan is not going to come up in the polls. He simply has no campaign and he’s about as exciting as a sponge.
I would love to see him as head of homeland security though.
>People will notice him more if he’s more brazen and forceful with the debates.<
I don’t think there is a problem with people noticing Duncan Hunter in the debates, try as the moderators will to ignore him. His natural statesman-like approach, his good manners, and the substance of what he says stands starkly out from the rest of the field.
Brazen and “in your face” forcefulness is not his style, thank goodness. But I’d rather have the wheel in Duncan Hunter’s hands than in the hands of anyone else for the next two treacherous presidential terms, thank you.
“The Bulletin failed to report that he addressed far more than just the illegal immigration-open border situation.”
I’m sure he did address many more issues. I’m just thankful they are not ignoring him, or saying he should just give up.
>I’m just thankful they are not ignoring him, or saying he should give up.<
I certainly agree with that. :)
As much as I agree with you, we could be classified as domestic terrorist for that action[s]. [gee thanks congress & Mr. president for that]
I think that as WE the People of this country probley need to take matters into our own hands and do it ourselves, and cut the goverment out of it. Heck we could probly do it for less cost than the goverment could do anyway!
I like Mr. Hunter. I too hope and pray for his rise in the polls. I spread the word about him every chance I have, and I encourage everyone I speak with to do likewise.
Ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.