Posted on 01/08/2008 6:17:20 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
California Republicans, already looking ahead from the first 2008 presidential election votes, are starting to float a new name for the 2010 gubernatorial race -- Rep. Duncan Hunter.
The Southern California Congressman has barely surfaced in the polls as a 2008 GOP presidential candidate, but his get-tough stance on immigration and border security -- he takes credit for the legislation and construction of the U.S.-Mexico border fence -- makes him popular among the party's hardline conservatives here.
And those conservatives are casting about for an alternative to wealthy and moderate GOPer Steve Poizner, the state insurance commissioner, who is widely considered a potential gubernatorial candidate.
There was a lot of head-scratching when Hunter -- ''who?'' to most American voters -- entered the GOP presidential race. In California, there was a lot of speculation that Hunter was really looking to establish name ID and credibility for some political move down the line.
After a non-existent showing in Iowa and New Hampshire, and being kicked from the latest debates, Hunter's dance in the presidential candidate spotlight may be over soon.
The idea that Hunter now may be encouraged to try for a statehouse move in California doesn't go over well with some moderate Republicans worried about the party's future in a Democratic-leaning state.
''If Republicans nominate someone as far to the right as Duncan Hunter in the next gubernatorial campaign, the next sign you'll see is: ''This Way to the Whig Party,'' said one leading party insider today.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Ping!
Let him run for President, let’s see what happens.
I like it.
No Republican could be worse then Arnold.
I am wondering if the Mayor of Fresno, Alan Autry, might run for gov but Duncan Hunter would make a great gov, too.
He’ll be too busy being POTUS
If he runs as a 3rd party candidate ( The Conservative Party ) I will vote for him. I cannot in good conscience vote for any of those that seem headed for the nomination.
I say go for it Duncan, then I'll see you back in 2012 as a favorite.
Irrepressible, like Hunter. B4DH.
You really don’t believe that Fred is a conservative?
Duncan Hunter is a good man which means he is unelectable in california to a state wide office.
He had a better chance at President than getting elected governor of Calichusetts. This isn’t the 1970s.
Only sellout Republicans ever get elected as blue state governors anymore.
Californians wouldn’t elect a conservative President to be a governor over them.
Alan's a great choice; Duncan Hunter isn't. There's enough people in the state in the pockets of the gaming tribes, we don't need one as governor. Sacramento's already being run enough from Barona.
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