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Hunter still upbeat about presidential bid
NC Times ^ | 10/23/07 | Mark Walker

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.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: duncanhunter
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To: Afronaut

>There’s no way I’m throwing my vote away again.<

Thank you. Me either.


201 posted on 10/23/2007 1:25:33 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Duncan Hunter '08 or else we've had it!)
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To: RasterMaster

The only ones whining about that plane are the left wing military hating blogs. Billions of dollars go into research and development of things that are never used yet the libtards want to cherry pick specific things to use as an attack point.

As far as things that never flew, the Spruce goose did fly but not for it’s intended purpose. In a way it became more valuable as proof of a concept than a workable plane. In the end, planes like the C-130 would have been a lot slower in coming if the Spruce goose hadn’t proven that super transports could be built and flown.

The flying wing is another example of a waste of money on a failed plane yet it exists today in the form of a stealth bomber.


202 posted on 10/23/2007 1:26:05 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Greed is NOT a conservative ideal.)
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To: cripplecreek

Spruce Goose also proved hydraulic systems.


203 posted on 10/23/2007 1:27:27 PM PDT by wastedyears (A cosmic castaway)
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To: pissant
I guess it proves the adage that you could get a brick to fly if it has sufficient thrust.

And also sufficient $$$$ bucks. What did they have to spend on the Osprey to get it in the air???

The future of the aircraft was at issue in 1989-92, when Secretary of Defense Cheney sought to cancel the program on grounds of affordability. Congress continued to fund the program, however, and through FY2000 some $10 billion was provided for the program, which as of December 31, 1999, was estimated by the Defense Department to cost some $38.1 billion to develop and produce 458 aircraft.

I think it's up to like $111 million a plane now.

204 posted on 10/23/2007 1:29:06 PM PDT by rednesss (Fred Thompson - 2008)
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To: rednesss

Yep, and the VTOL will replace it in the future.


205 posted on 10/23/2007 1:31:15 PM PDT by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: rednesss

Hunter Beats McCain (John can’t win in his home state)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZiwKpmFrCg&mode=related&search=

Maricopa County, Arizona 01-13-07
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01/16/news/top_stories/1_03_321_15_07.txt

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/01/longshot_hunter_touts_win_in_a.html

Spartanburg, South Carolina 03-01-07
http://www.gohunter08.com/shownews.asp?artid=31

SC GOP Conventions 04-16-07
http://race42008.com/2007/04/16/romney-wins-pickens-county-hunter-wins-anderson/

Anderson County, South Carolina 04-17-07
http://adailychaser.com/?p=535

Coryell, Tx Win
http://www.coryellgop.org/chair/archives/2007/07/03/john-firth-appointed-as-coryell-county-judge/

Texas Straw Poll
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/01/ap/politics/main3227615.shtml


206 posted on 10/23/2007 1:32:32 PM PDT by RasterMaster (Rudy McRomneyson = KENNEDY wing of the Republican Party)
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To: RasterMaster
"The same poll where your guy was BEAT 2 to 1."

What a claim to fame, lets start the inauguration tomorrow. I think these two guys participated in that straw poll BTW.

And they said Duncan Hunter is going to win over Hillary by eleventy hundred kajillion to one. You can take that to the bank.

207 posted on 10/23/2007 1:35:02 PM PDT by rednesss (Fred Thompson - 2008)
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To: rednesss
That's a WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT than a brige to nowhere or the Robert C. Byrd memorial parkbench, or FRed's earmarks mentioned up thread.

Got a point, or are you STUCK ON STUPID?

208 posted on 10/23/2007 1:37:23 PM PDT by RasterMaster (Rudy McRomneyson = KENNEDY wing of the Republican Party)
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To: xzins

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915095/posts?page=137#137

::virtual hug!::


209 posted on 10/23/2007 1:42:14 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: Mr Apple

>>>Google: Clinton National Security Scandal and Coverup

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1845268/posts
HUNTER INTRODUCES “NUCLEAR SECRETS SAFETY ACT” (Duncan Hunter - 2000)

You should see the Los Alamos testimony I posted on this thread.


210 posted on 10/23/2007 1:46:57 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: Kevmo; Mr Apple; Alamo-Girl

Her website is one to get lost in.

bump


211 posted on 10/23/2007 1:48:07 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: Kevmo

“Go take down tootyfruity rudy and his cousin, Hildebeast.”

She’s not his cousin. She’s his evil-er twin!


212 posted on 10/23/2007 1:49:01 PM PDT by Califreak (Duncan Hunter-no clothespin necessary!)
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To: Mr Apple

For thought....

1997 - FRED THOMPSON WIMPS OUT JUST AS HE GETS CLOSE TO PREY
Rocky Mountain News
Sept 23, 1997

Byline: William Safire The New York Times

Why, just as the investigation into Clinton campaign corruption was hitting pay dirt, did Fred Thompson suddenly strike a deal with Democrats to shift the hearings into a softer, gentler discussion of legislative changes?

Consider the momentum building:

1. Venerable Gore, now wisely hiring criminal lawyers, was shown to be fund-raising from federal property for his own campaign, which forced Janet Reno to shake up Justice’s hapless bureaucracy - in hope of evading the law’s mandate to seek court appointment of a real prosecutor.

2. Our rogue president, after selling face time to an engaging hustler for $300,000, was shown to have directed his aide to be ``supportive’’ of the donor at the Energy Department. Mack McLarty swore this attempted fix was merely ``seeking information,’’ echoing the words of Sherman Adams to excuse his improper intercession for Bernard Goldfine in 1958.

3. One of two Clinton 1992 fund-raisers who became high officials at Energy was shown to be a perjurer. ``Somebody’s lying,’’ concluded a senator. In that connection . . .

4. DNC chairman Don Fowler was shown disremembering conversations held with a CIA operative named Bob to help sanitize donor Roger Tamraz. This triggered a CIA Inspector General investigation likely to reveal abuse of authority within the Directorate of Operations.

With all that - plus evidence of China ‘s fund-funneling - what caused Fred Thompson to veer off into legislative la-la land? His reasons:

1. The coming week’s hearings were to be Democrats’ payback time, and GOP leaders did not want to offer a chance to argue ``everybody did it.’’

2. Thompson thought he was running low on ammunition. The best witnesses - Huang, Middleton, Trie - were taking the Fifth or hiding overseas.

3. After a slow start that drew media derision, Thompson reached a level of interest and grudging respect that would be hard to maintain (ain’t gonna get no betta); soon the pack’s mantra would become ``petering out.’’

4. Thompson believes this is the time for a deep breath; to see if New York U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White’s prosecution of teamsters leads to the AFL and the White House’s Harold Ickes (whom he will depose again); to press the Freeh-Reno crowd on the Asian connection; and in three weeks, to take another look at his hand.

By thus thinking tactically - about how the hearings ``play’’ - Thompson is making a strategic blunder.

A serious Senate investigation has three purposes: first, to use its subpoena power to expose to public view, often in dull detail, the widespread wrongdoing and potential lawbreaking that corrupted a presidential election. Next, with the public educated and aroused, to shame the see-no-evil, conflicted Justice Department into action. Purpose three: to propose legislation to make certain future wrongdoing of this kind is prosecutable.

But just when the committee’s exposing purpose was getting traction - when front pages and even TV network news shows were paying attention - Chairman Thompson cut away from the chase.

Because he mistakenly thought he was running out of fresh ammunition and running out of time, the Tennessee senator switched to the general legislative purpose. It was part of a deal with Trent Lott to steal a march on the Democrats’ domination of campaign finance reform.

With Thompson taking his heavy breather, who will take up the torch? It’s up to Intelligence Chairman Richard Shelby, who plans to examine Democratic penetration of the CIA, perhaps publicly, as former DCI John Deutch urges; Dan Burton and his House committee, bedeviled by cover-upper Henry Waxman but unencumbered by deadline; 41-year-old Mary Jo White; and slowpoke prosecutor Hickman Ewing Jr., administering water torture to Webster Hubbell.

Too bad about Fred Thompson’s wimpout. Hope he catches his breath in time.


213 posted on 10/23/2007 1:53:30 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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Elmer's Glue running shoes
214 posted on 10/23/2007 1:53:58 PM PDT by Califreak (Duncan Hunter-no clothespin necessary!)
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To: Mr Apple
Online NewsHour: Campaigns Under Scrutiny

THE INVESTIGATION:
IN THE LINE OF FIRE

Issue Backgrounder

The Investigation


Excerpt from site:

SEN. ORRIN HATCH, (R) Utah: Did a foreign government try to influence our national elections and our domestic and/or foreign policy? No. 2, were millions of dollars of foreign money laundered through various groups to the Democratic National Committee, particularly by three individuals, but not limited to those three, but three individuals in particular--Charlie Tree, Johnny Chung, and John Huang--all of whom have some extensive ties to China. No. 3, were there violations of many of our existing laws, such as the Hatch Act, the Ethics in Government Act, and our current federal elections laws. This particular investigation is a mess. We cannot allow ourselves in an attempt to satisfy tendentious cause for a broad inquiry into congressional campaigns to interfere with what is a serious matter.

KWAME HOLMAN: Originally, Sen. Fred Thompson, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, wanted to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into the ‘96 campaign. Last month, his committee voted unanimously to have the probe look at both presidential and congressional campaigns and at both illegal and legal fund-raising activities. But that plan was shelved last week by Thompson's fellow Republicans in the Senate Rules Committee. At that hearing Wendell Ford, the ranking Democrat on the Committee, pushed Thompson to admit he had given in to his colleagues.



215 posted on 10/23/2007 1:54:36 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: Mr Apple

Also consider, Fred Thompson voted to normalize trade relations with Vietnam.

In October 1990 John McCain said on the floor of the Senate: “Mr. President, I am anxious to construct a new relationship with our old adversary (Vietnam)”. He, who was in a Vietnamese prison camps for five and a half years, was pushing hard for normalized relations with Hanoi long before anyone else was.

Between when Clinton said that he would not normalize relations with Vietnam until there was a full accounting and the time he lifted the Trade Embargo only two Americans had been accounted for in Vietnam.

Lifting the embargo opened the door for the multi-billion dollar corporation, Lippo Group with American business partners, such as Stephens Investment of Little Rock, AR to conduct business in Vietnam. Mr A. Vernon Weaver, at that time the Vice-President for Operations in the Pacific Rim of Stephens Investment and a member of the Board of Visitors at the U.S. Naval Academy was instrumental in arranging an upgrade of the position of Commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy from two stars to four stars.

Thompson also voted most-favored-nation (MFN) trade status for China.


216 posted on 10/23/2007 1:57:55 PM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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Duncan Hunter action figure
217 posted on 10/23/2007 2:02:05 PM PDT by Califreak (Duncan Hunter-no clothespin necessary!)
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To: Califreak

That’s a lot of gear.


218 posted on 10/23/2007 2:14:06 PM PDT by wastedyears (A cosmic castaway)
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To: Calpernia

Sorry I was unable to respond sooner; (I got called away.)

I’ll just respond at this point by saying that while your support for Duncan Hunter is admirable(and understandable), I hope that you have a “plan B” ready. I am not dissing the man; if available in my state’s primary*, he will probably get my vote. But, alas, I don’t think it will happen, and the only other candidate I can see backing at this point, is Fred Thompson.

(* Ever since I have been a resident here, the race for the Repub. Pres. nominee has been over by the time KY held it’s primaries).


219 posted on 10/23/2007 2:52:51 PM PDT by LRS
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To: Calpernia

“Tomorrow, China is launching a rocket to the moon. It’s named after the Long March (I find that name sake chilling and full of foreshadowing). Today we also launched our own shuttle. An unarmed shuttle.

The Pentagon has released a report that states China’s a threat. Yesterday we have weapons from China found in our countries we are engaged in. China blatantly stated they were trained by Russia.

Yet, we have freepers here defending candidates that are in support of this.”

I don’t understand it, either. Do most people have to wait until Communist China actually attacks us on our own soil before they wake up?

The Chinese MILITARY had a cyber attack on the U.S. defense department in June.

What will it take to get people to care??


220 posted on 10/23/2007 3:21:52 PM PDT by Sun (Duncan Hunter: pro-God/life/borders, understands Red China threat, NRA A+rating! www.gohunter08.com)
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