Thanks, I am currently leaning pretty hard towards Duncan Hunter, but I admit that many things about his situation worry me. The fact that he's a Congressman is an issue but isn't too big an issue. At one time, being vice-president was considered a dead-end job. Today, the vice-presidency is considered the stepping stone to winning a party's nomination. Maybe Duncan Hunter can be the many who changes the fortunes of House of Representatives members. The fact that he isn't likely to win his home state regardless of his current office is troubling. The fact that he doesn't have executive experience to any great extent is troubling. Against these things is the fact that he's very good on the issues. Ultimately, I want someone who will do the right thing in office.
Another candidate who is appealing is Tommy Thompson. He has a pretty good resume. I don't see him generating the excitement to win, but if we vote as adults for a change, we should consider him. I like his executive experience. I like that he was an originator of welfare reform. His plan for Iraq would be to divide the country into states with a great deal of autonomy. He thinks that the Iraqi government will continue to have trouble because no one really wants it to work. Each of the groups over there would have more enthusiasm if the defining governmental force in their lives were more aligned with their demographic group.
I haven't researched Jim Gilmore. I think he's a pretty standard Republican on the issues. He has the right experience from what I know.
Newt Gingrich doesn't appeal to me. He just doesn't seem to be the kind of leader who would be a good executive. He was great at retaking Congress, but he didn't administer things very well. I fear that he'd be the same way as president. On the other hand, I could put a Newt Gingrich bumper sticker on my car with no problem and knock on some doors for him.
Ultimately, I may end up being more involved in a U.S. Senate campaign in 2008 than I am in the presidential campaign, but having someone I respect at the top of the ticket would help me feel better about all of my volunteer activities.
Bill
Gingrich would be a good chief of staff, driving policy.
Hi Bill, I understand your hesitation. Think about this. Hunter has been head of committees that have gotten legislation passed. He's able to get co sponsors and get the job done. For 27 years. Not many congressmen actually get legislation passed, or get their viewpoint out there on a given subject. When Dubai happened, Hunter brought attention to it. When they wanted to sell Long Beach to China, Hunter told us and stopped it. Hunter actually GOT a fence built on the border. I could cite many more examples.
Now, it has been posted here that Hunter has NEVER gotten a piece of legislation into law. LIE. Please check his record.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/R?d109:FLD003:@1(Rep+Hunter) :
That is interesting. Thanks for posting that.
What do you think of Fred Thompson? I could support most anyone - but McCain(s).