Not true. Hunter has an impeccable record of standing up and smashmouthing the libs in power. He fought tooth and nail to keep the Clintonistas from gutting missile defense. He took Murtha's cut and run bill and forced it to the floor for a vote, where it got savagely defeated. He helped push through the bill that was a refutation of the the SupremeCourt's disgusting Kelo decision. He has been front and center criticizing the MSM for its coverage of the war. He pounded John Kerry for his idiotic statements overseas about America being a "pariah". He ahs defended Rumsfeld against the constant criticisms form left and right. He had one of the best floor speeches a couple years back when the "close Gitmo" crowd was at a fever pitch, showing the menu and treatment these bastards were receiving. Agianst many in his own party and against all liberals, he forced thru the Border Fence bill, which he even got the Prez to sign. He is in full throated support of pardoning the two border agents who got ridiculous sentences for winging a drug dealer. He is downright Churchillian in his warnings about China. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Reagan in support of beating the USSR and is standing firmly behind Bush in the WOT as we speak.
The man is a natural leader, a staunch Regean conservative. He just has not had the adequate coverage to convey that. That is where the conservative media is dropping the ball. Lets worry about the dems and Hillary or Ears Obama next year. Right now, conservatives should be supporting a champion of the cause, not a warmed over mayor.
But VOTING for something ("championing it" in your phraseology) is far different than administering where YOU are they only guy taking the heat. (Legislators seldom really take the heat for a particular vote or issue, but presidents and governors always do). So there is very much a "small pond" issue here.