When you push "moderate" candidates, there isn't much difference in them or the democrat and that alone drives the base away. When you push for CONSERVATIVE candidates, it isn't even a close race
Posted on 10/23/2007 7:48:38 AM PDT by pissant
WASHINGTON ---- He doesn't draw throngs like Barack Obama or Rudy Giuliani, but U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter has admirers in his longshot bid for the presidency.
The El Cajon lawmaker, who hasn't been able to move his campaign from the bottom tier of GOP candidates, met one of those fans in his Capitol Hill office recently.
"I really admire you and I'm glad you're running," Joe Sangiorgio, a George Washington University political science student and congressional intern, said while getting his picture taken with his choice for president. "I plan to vote for you, and I would give your campaign $50 million if I could."
Sangiorgio must not be paying much attention to the polls or standings in the race for campaign cash: Hunter is polling no more than 3 percent outside California and has raised a relative pauper's sum of less than $2 million.
Despite those numbers, the congressman told the North County Times earlier this month that he has no thoughts of dropping out.
Hunter also reflected on his record in Congress during the last 26 years, saying he is proud of his efforts on behalf of the military and defense industries, and that he believes large numbers of U.S. troops would leave Iraq next year.
Tough odds
Hunter's odds of getting elected president are pegged at 200-1 in Las Vegas, and his chances of raising anywhere near $50 million that Sangiorgio wished for, or suddenly winning favor among a large portion of the electorate, are seen by most observers as slim and none.
Despite that, the affable Hunter has nothing to lose by staying in the race, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College who specializes in national politics.
"There's really no reason for him to withdraw yet," Pitney said last week. "He gets to take part in national debates standing next to the party's eventual nominee. This could be his last chance for national television exposure, so why give it up?
"He's retiring from Congress, where his party is now in the minority, so staying in and taking part in the primaries is all gain and no pain."
The low numbers Hunter has been getting don't appear to bother the folksy politician, whose 52nd Congressional District includes parts of Poway and Ramona. The former chairman and now-ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee claimed he's had no thoughts of abandoning the effort and suggested surprise at even being asked the question.
"I'm not afraid of an election," he said. "To get out before the first numbers come in doesn't make any sense."
In debates, Hunter speaks forcefully about his desire to protect American jobs, and the needs to improve border security and maintain a strong military.
As the major candidates raise many millions to pay for media buys and dozens of political operatives, Hunter's Oct. 15 campaign finance report shows he has raised a paltry $1.7 million with only $132,741 in available cash. That compares with another bottom-tier candidate, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, who dropped out of the race Friday despite having raised more than twice as much as Hunter.
"We don't have a bunch of consultants that we have to pay," Hunter said as he munched on a turkey sandwich during a break in a series of votes taking place on the House floor. "We run a highly efficient operation."
'Great effect'
Rather than spend his campaign cash on media buys and staff, Hunter gets his message out through the "free media" at presidential debates and as a frequent guest on conservative radio and television. He travels to campaign events by commercial airliner, often relying on volunteers or a single paid staffer to shuttle him around once he's on the ground.
And despite only winning a couple of straw polls, the hawkish conservative will look you straight in the eye and say he is in to win.
"The real contest doesn't start until the January primaries, and I intend to do well in those elections," he said during a conversation in his congressional office, a large room adorned with numerous mementos and pictures of Hunter and his supporters during his time in office.
Hunter said he believes he has influenced the debate, pointing to his criticism of U.S. trade policy with China, which he says gives the Asian giant an unfair advantage over American manufacturers. He also claims to be the first to call for pre-emptive military action against Iran if it's shown that country is near production of an atomic weapon.
The leading GOP candidates have followed suit on Iran, building a fence along the majority of the border with Mexico and improving the trade and economic climate for U.S. manufacturers to preserve American jobs, he said.
"I think we're having a great effect. I'm out there every day trying to do the best I can to communicate my ideas and see if we can't draw a crowd."
But the crowds haven't responded in the way he had hoped. Nonetheless, he said plans to stay around after the first round of primaries and caucuses.
How long after that?
"If you get to the point where you're not getting any numbers at all and can't possibly recover, you don't stay in just for symbolic reasons," he said.
Congressional career
As he wraps up the penultimate year of his congressional career, Hunter said he will always be proud of his relationship with the military.
"The Armed Services Committee is one where you can really get things done," said the Vietnam War veteran, who was the panel's chairman until this year. "I was able to help rebuild the military during the Reagan era and work through the start of the missile defense system and the Contra wars."
In recent months, he has helped speed the development of new mine-resistant armored personnel carriers and increase funding and attention on efforts to defeat roadside bombs.
"We're in a new era of terrorists with technology and we've got to be able to respond. You take the best positions you can and try every day to do something good for this country.
"It's a long war, and there's not going to be any surrender ceremony like we saw on deck of the battleship USS Missouri at the end of World War II."
Despite some accusations of ties to men convicted or charged in the scandal of his friend and former U.S. Rep. Randy Cunningham, that relationship has not dogged Hunter on the campaign trail. Beyond a defense attorney's failed effort to subpoena him and other lawmakers, Hunter's name has not surfaced in any of the investigations linked to the now-imprisoned Cunningham.
When Hunter leaves Congress, his replacement could be his son, Duncan Duane Hunter, a U.S. Marine now serving in Afghanistan. The younger Hunter will face at least two other GOP challengers during the primary in his bid to keep a Hunter hold on the 52nd District and the family philosophy a part of California's congressional delegation.
Iraq and beyond
Somewhat surprisingly, Hunter is opposed to seeing the Marine Corps leave Iraq and assume major combat responsibility in Afghanistan, which Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway is advocating.
Hunter said he would rather see the 25,000 Marines come home from Iraq, as that country's fledgling army assumes responsibility for security with quick reaction forces called in if needed.
"Al-Qaida has been defeated on the battlefield in Anbar because of the hard work of the Marines," he said. "I would like to see the Marines rotate out of Iraq, and Afghanistan should be a place where our NATO allies really start participating in a more robust manner."
He predicted that the number of U.S. troops in Iraq next year will be far lower than the current 160,000. Putting greater pressure on the Iraqis to provide their own security could lead to substantial withdrawal of U.S. troops in the coming months, he said.
"The Iraq army can take over a lot faster than many people think," he said.
I mentioned tapdancing as well. Carry on.
To think the same dopes who call Hunter a “protectionist” and say he has “no chance” have put their support behind pro-amnesty, open-border, MFN Commie-loving RINOs like Rooty, Mitt or one of these clowns:
Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons.
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China.
——————————————————————————————
John McCain:
Voted YES to give permanent Normal Trade Relations status to China.
Voted to kill an amendment that would require sanctions against China or other countries if they were found to be selling illicit weapons of mass destruction.
Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it.
Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement.
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo.
Admit China to WTO based on their concessions.
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.
——————————————————————————————
Sam Brownback:
Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons.
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China.
******************************************************
Duncan Hunter is the only one not selling us out to our enemies:
“china is cheating on trade and they’re buying ships, planes and missiles with our money, as well as taking millions of jobs.”
Voted YES on deterring foreign arms transfers to China.
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.
FRIENDS don’t attack our aircraft and hold our soldiers as hostages:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/05/01/china.us.plane.04/
Duncan Hunter on Fred Thompson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFOUJ1saOoc
“Free trade” is for our ALLIES, not our communist enemies.
3. I’ll take Duncan Hunter’s no nonsense, clear and to the point speaking over any other candidate any day of the week.
4. The reason we got shellacked in 06 is because our party had NO, or very few, extreme conservative dogs in the fight. That is why we need a proven consistent conservative as our nominee in 08.
5. Rep. Hunter transcends party - goes straight to preserving our sovereignty, rescuing the middle class with the return of good paying jobs, has worked against illegal immigration since before Tom Tancredo was ever in Congress, has served his country during wartime, and on and on and on. He appeals to conservatives in ALL parties.
The Establishment, the Rockefeller Republicans, the Council on Foreign Relations members, the Jorge Boosh globalists are against a true American patriot because they are working feverishly while Boosh is still in office to make the USA a one vote region under the complete control of the UN. Boosh wants it to go down in history that it happened under his watch. That’s why Duncan Hunter has been unable to gain traction, and for NO OTHER reason.
When you push "moderate" candidates, there isn't much difference in them or the democrat and that alone drives the base away. When you push for CONSERVATIVE candidates, it isn't even a close race
AMEN!
Ah yes I have seen some on this thread tap dancing around business ethics and arguing moral relativism.
Those who don’t follow the party platform have no business running for the republican nomination.
Certainly a candidate that does not respect the sanctity of life should not have support among the CONSERVATIVE base of the GOP....nor should anyone who supported Clinton’s AWB. That rules out Rudy & Mitt - they each have many reasons I cannot support them as a GOP nominee - but those are two of the main issues I weigh a candidate by.
While Huckabee is great on life issues (putting aside his tax-n-spend policies from Arkansas), he’s pushing for more nanny-state big-government and also a pro-SHamnesty candidate like McCain.
McCain also wanted Geneva Convention rights to terrorists and whines about how GITMO “looks in the eyes of the world”. Although I value military service in our next President, that’s not an example of a leader that I am looking for. Nor is someone who’s adopted the CUT & RUN, blame-America first policies of the DUmocrats...so I won’t support Ron Paul, plus he’s just too damn whiney.
With WOT issues, it’s as Tom Tancredo said in one of the debates: “the next President needs to be someone that al queda ABSOLUTELY FEARS”....that is why I support Duncan Hunter (and Tancredo as his running mate).
Thompson would be my 3rd choice, but I don’t support his idea of “aspirations of citizenship” for those who have broken the law (also known as FELONS), his stance on McCain-Feingold, or his votes in favor of MOST FAVORED NATION trade status for communist countries (China & Vietnam).
Very few here have thrown in the towel. The folks who have never supported him continue to try to tamp down support, because they know that their candidate (pick one) is very vulnerable from the right. In the meantime, the DH Ping list continues to grow.
Wow, you’re delusional... How do you explain the losses of Santorum (got crushed), Allen, and Talent???
See this thread for his stance on immigration.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915177/posts
I wish Fred would get behind Hunter. It would be a unstoppable force to deal with.
This man answers the “HOT BUTTON” issue, he is 100% behind US sovereignty and the best interests of the United States.
He also knows what the hell he is talking about.
Hunter would fill the lack of US leadership. Strong on the WOT, strong on immigration, pro life, pro family.
The perfect candidate to make Hillary look like the incompetant OLD WOMAN she is.
Name calling already? Re-read my line 4 in post 163 where I said No, or very few, extreme conservatives. Selective sight is stupid.
Tapping 10 or 12K a year from the house overdraft program to cover expenses versus fleecing the taxpayers for $835,000 for Ben Hooks. You make the call
>I wish Fred would get behind Hunter...<
Fred, Council on Foreign Relations member, globalist, soft on illegal immigration, supported by many in Bush’s administration - you mean THAT Fred? Nah. Never happen.
Funny how the course of a year changes a man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkN2fYnMTBs
When asked about a REAL fence: “If it would even work”
“Deals for citizenship” doesn’t fly with me, regardless of his “tough talk” now.
So you would agree that “tapping” the House bank was an “undesirable” act then?
I am really worried that if we do not do something soon, we will all end up with the worst. Rooty
If we split our vote between all these people, Rooty will win the nomination.
Some of these guys are going to have to join forces. I am not as worried about Hillary as I am Rooty.
Hillary is beatable, I just DO NOT want Rooty to be the one to beat her. If that happens the conservative cause will be over.
I know there is no shortage of posters who have denigrated Hunter’s candidacy from day one (can you say “self-fulfilling prophecy”?), but it’s apparent that there are those who have pulled for him and simply become disheartened by his continued low showing in polls and the blatant disregard by media figures, even ostensibly conservative ones such as those frequenting Fox News. I understand that. I’m just trying to encourage them to look at the bigger picture, and to remember Clinton’s comeback.
As a hypothetical, what would you say if word got out that Thompson received $5 million through third-party people from Saudi Arabia?
Just a hypothetical
Stop the presses, in your “apples to apples” comparison, you have just criticized the actions of Duncan Hunter. I expect the herd to quickly trample you to death for your heresy.
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