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Leadership knows Rep. Duncan Hunter's arm doesn't twist
The Hill ^ | 4/5/06 | Roxanna Tiron

Posted on 03/13/2007 2:15:14 PM PDT by pissant

It is difficult to change Rep. Duncan Hunter’s mind. House leadership officials and the White House have found that out the hard way.

When they wanted him to vote for a pending trade bill last year, Hunter (R-Calif.) refused — again and again. And when the Bush administration tried to convince the powerful Armed Services Committee on its controversial port security plan, Hunter refused to budge.

Twisting Hunter’s arm is impossible, his close friends say.

“The politics of the process does not really concern him,” said Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.), his colleague on the House Armed Services Committee who has known Hunter for 14 years. “He’ll never refuse to listen and works hard to build a base of support” for his ideas.

That has made Hunter predictable to his party, but sometimes also an unwieldy force to the Bush administration.

He refuses to vote for free-trade agreements even when the administration and leadership officials are angling for each and every vote, as was the case with the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

And Hunter, whom many call a protectionist, was instrumental in scuttling a deal that would have given the operations at six major U.S. ports to Dubai Ports World, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates.

“He was shocked that the administration approved the deal,” said Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), a senior member of Hunter’s committee and a close friend. Saxton worked with Hunter to introduce legislation blocking the deal and revising the foreign-investment process to ensure national security.

“On the Dubai issue, he got all fired up,” a congressional source said. Hunter gathered information to prove that Dubai has not been trustworthy — despite repeated administration assertions that the UAE is a vital ally in the war on terrorism.

It is not often that a guest on a TV news program has the boldness to put the interviewer’s political-activism past in the open, but Hunter wasn’t one to shy away. He made sure to point out, three times, that George Stephanopoulos, the host of ABC’s “This Week,” had worked for President Clinton, who supported the Dubai Ports deal.

“I don’t think President Clinton, your old boss, knows the facts of the transshipment that take place through Dubai sending nuclear components to all parts of the world,” Hunter told Stephanopoulos, in one of the references to Clinton.

Fighting for national security and the men and women in uniform is Hunter’s guiding mantra, according to those who know him well.

At a time when some GOP members are starting to cast doubts on the situation in Iraq, Hunter has been a steadfast supporter of Bush’s approach to the Middle Eastern country.

“I think we are going to be as successful as we were in … [disassembling] the Soviet empire, as successful as we were in bringing democracy to nations in Central America,” said Hunter, who went on several delegations to Iraq.

Hunter opposes troop withdrawal from Iraq until U.S. commanders feel that Iraqi forces have been adequately trained to defend the country.

The Armed Services Committee chairman also became the administration’s defender of U.S. conduct at military-detainee facilities at a time when human rights organizations, internal FBI and military reports, and lawmakers were decrying the inhumane treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Almost a year ago, Hunter went to the grocery store to buy the groceries and cooking supplies for the famous orange-glazed chicken and lemon-baked fish from the menu served at Guantanamo Bay.

Hunter held a press conference with the meal, saying at the time, “We treat [the prisoners] very well.”

He also called the criticism of the prisoners’ treatment “wild accusations.”

“Duncan is a very bright and dedicated individual, and when he has the ability to be creative for the forces that ups the power surge,” said Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), one of Hunter’s closest friends and a member of his committee. “If he were an atomic-energy clock, the energy would come from the men and women in uniform.”

“He is just a passionate person who sees it like he sees it,” said Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), a centrist who fought for a provision seeking greater controls of detainee treatment in the House. “Congress needs Chairman Hunter. It is not my voice, but people need to hear from people like him,” he said.

Hunter dropped out of college to join the Army and fight in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in 24 helicopter combat assaults in Vietnam.

But to this day, Hunter refuses to go back to Vietnam, and according to a source he said that the only way he would come face to face with a Vietnamese is “at the end of my rifle.”

Hunter did not return calls for an interview by press time.

Hunter is a strong supporter of increased defense spending, ensuring the military it has what it needs to fight wars and to transform. While Hunter is seen as a defense hawk ready to dole out money for various programs, the defense industry has mixed feelings about the chairman.

Hunter is a strong “Buy American” supporter. Buy American rules mandate that at least 50 percent of all work on defense contracts be completed domestically.

He also guards the principles of the so-called Berry Amendment, which mandates that all specialty metals going into military weapons systems be made in the United States.

“Hunter comes by these ideas very honestly,” an industry source said. “He has never been in the position to pull this stuff until he became chairman,” but Hunter “has not grown to recognize the reality of global trade and global commerce,” the source added.

His views are so strict that Hunter refuses to get into a foreign-made car. “He can be Detroit’s poster child,” said a source familiar with the congressman.

Hunter voted for only one trade agreement, when Bush first was elected president, Saxton recalled. “He was anguished,” said Saxton, who stood next to him while Hunter voted.

“Mr. Bush is my president, and I have to do this,” Saxton remembered Hunter saying. He voted for the bipartisan trade-promotion authority act, but later, when it was rolled into a larger bill, the Trade Act of 2002, Hunter voted against it.


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: duncanhunter
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To: Labyrinthos
(Yeah, I know, they are all liberal rags.)

But that doesn't stop you from rolling in their spew like a dog on a fresh turd.

Hunter was investigated to the gills and came out clean. You're pathetic in your attempts to slime a good man with liberal propaganda.

81 posted on 03/14/2007 1:58:32 PM PDT by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: pissant
Wow, awesome article. Around the net it goes!







"How can I help?"

Get informed: Duncan Hunter on the Issues

Sign up: Freepmail me to join the Duncan Hunter Pinglist

Or Freepmail seanmerc to join the Veterans for Hunter Pinglist

Put your money where your values are: Contribute to Duncan Hunter's Presidential Campaign

Help spread the word: Purchase "Hunter for President" items. Proceeds go to the Hunter campaign.
82 posted on 03/14/2007 1:59:07 PM PDT by Antoninus (I don't vote for liberals, regardless of party.)
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To: AuntB

Here are the roll votes followed by a link to each of the 19 amendments:

http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2006/07/435_districts_435_blogs_agains.php

What the Flake anti-pork amendments did was to force each member of Congress to go on the record with respect to 19 useless projects, rather than hiding behind a vote by acclamation to approve the expenditures as part of a larger bill. By forcing our Congressthieves to go on record, they would not be able to claim at a later date that they only voted for the pork because it was tacked onto a more important piece of legislation that they couldn't vote against.

A vote in favor of the Flake Amendments would have killed each of the wasteful expenditures. Hunter voted against each of the 19 amendment and in favor of pork. So did Pelosi.


83 posted on 03/14/2007 2:02:00 PM PDT by Labyrinthos
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To: mugs99
I'd vote for Barney Frank before I'd vote for Duncan Hunter.

Nice job outting yourself...
84 posted on 03/14/2007 2:05:01 PM PDT by Antoninus (I don't vote for liberals, regardless of party.)
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To: Labyrinthos
Hunter voted against each of the 19 amendment and in favor of pork. So did Pelosi.

NO, he did NOT vote for pork. He voted against the amendments. How were they worded, were they just 'fluff"? As you were shown, so did most republicans, maybe even your congressman. Who is your congressman, and did you vote against him for this? The amendments all failed for a reason.

85 posted on 03/14/2007 2:07:35 PM PDT by AuntB (" It takes more than walking across the border to be an American." Duncan Hunter)
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To: dirtboy
Put up or shut up.

I already did Dirtyboy. Go to Google, Yahoo, Clutsy, etc., and plug in "Duncan Hunter and Duke Cunningham" and "Duncan Hunter and pork." Although his ties to Duke Cunningham are not in dispute, the more series allegations regarding corruption have not been proven and they may never be proven. BFD. Regardless of the truth of the allegations, he has left himself open and vunerable, and there is enough taint for his Democratic opponent in concert with the MSM to portray him as part of the congressional culture of corruption and to make him look like he's the problem with government, not the solution. He will spend so much time on the defensive, that he will never get his message out, and we will lose by a landslide.

86 posted on 03/14/2007 2:21:05 PM PDT by Labyrinthos
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To: Labyrinthos
Go to Google, Yahoo, Clutsy, etc., and plug in "Duncan Hunter and Duke Cunningham"

And you get a bunch of liberal sites like you just posted.

and "Duncan Hunter and pork."

And you get a bunch of pro-shamesty types.

Although his ties to Duke Cunningham are not in dispute, the more series allegations regarding corruption have not been proven and they may never be proven. BFD.

To a Rudy booster, who cares if the allegations are true, apparently.

Regardless of the truth of the allegations, he has left himself open and vunerable, and there is enough taint for his Democratic opponent in concert with the MSM to portray him as part of the congressional culture of corruption and to make him look like he's the problem with government, not the solution.

I love it. You would have us choose our candidates by what the MSM would do to them. NEWS FLASH - they will attack ANY GOP nominee, no matter what.

He will spend so much time on the defensive, that he will never get his message out, and we will lose by a landslide.

Aided by the likes of you, apparently, who seek to follow the siren call of the RINO.

87 posted on 03/14/2007 2:24:59 PM PDT by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: mugs99

Contributions from Indian Tribes
Duncan Congressman Hunter for the House of Representatives
in 2000

SYCUAN BAND OF INDIANS
EL CAJON, CA $1,000 12/17/1999

MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION
LEDYARD, CT $1,000 07/20/2000

A search on Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation will show that they own and operate Foxwood Resorts. I wonder how they feel about online gambling?


88 posted on 03/14/2007 2:41:48 PM PDT by Ms. AntiFeminazi (Duncan Hunter voted against Term Limits)
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To: AuntB

Each of the 19 Amendment would have removed a single item of pork from a larger approriations bill that had been placed in the appropriations bill at the request of an individual member of Congress (hence the term "member initiative," which is the suger-coated term for pork.) A vote AGAINST the amendments is a vote for the pork barrel expenditures... oops, I mean member initiatives; and a vote FOR the amendments is a vote against the pork expenditures. When given the oppurtunity to go on the record against pork, my Congressman -- Sue Kelly (R) -- failed miserably by voting with Duncan Hunter against all but three of the Amendents. Guess what? She lost the election last November.

Note that there were 44 members of Congress who votes for at least 15 of the 19 Amendments (remember, a vote for the amendments is a vote against pork). Of those 44, 42 were Republicans, including Tancredo, who voted for 17 of 19.



89 posted on 03/14/2007 2:47:47 PM PDT by Labyrinthos
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To: AuntB

Good work, AuntB


90 posted on 03/14/2007 3:06:02 PM PDT by pissant (http://www.gohunter08.com/)
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To: Labyrinthos

Do you even realize the gross irony in making far-fetched and dispproven insinuations about the propriety of every candidate other than Giuliani. You look ridiculous.


91 posted on 03/15/2007 8:36:45 AM PDT by jmc813 (The 2nd Amendment is NOT a "social conservative" issue.)
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To: Durus
I respect your opinion and I would like to know why Hunter supported this. If it was because the port security bill was to important to let slide (because this was thrown in) then I see where it could have been better to vote for it then vote against it.

My opinion would be that nothing is more important than liberty. Hunter, and others, could have done the right thing and refused to vote for the bill until the attachment was removed.
.
92 posted on 03/15/2007 9:09:27 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: pissant
Better read up a bit more on the history of internet prohibitions on gambling. There were already restrictions in place. Enjoy

Follow your own advice. You know nothing about the issue.
.
93 posted on 03/15/2007 9:13:50 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: airborne

LOL!!!


94 posted on 03/15/2007 9:15:50 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: Antoninus
Nice job outting yourself...
LOL!
Lame reply...
.
95 posted on 03/15/2007 9:17:44 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: Ms. AntiFeminazi
I wonder how they feel about online gambling?

The Tribes, and Vegas, have the best poker software on the planet. The Tribes contribute to expand their casino operations. Canadian tribes own online casinos and it has worked well for them. American tribes are prevented from offering online games by the US government.

Nevada enacted an online gambling law and put in place regulations, fees and taxes for online gaming. The US government told Nevada to take a hike and sent the business overseas.

This new law is entirely the work of Focus On The Family. That's why the law was enacted in stealth mode. There was no public support for the law and it was opposed by the banking industry. They began by trying to stop the expansion of Indian gaming. When Bill Bennett got outed as a gambling addict they regrouped and went after online gambling.

Online poker is big with seniors. You can enter an online tournament for one dollar and enjoy a couple of hours of action with players around the World. Ten bucks gives you a weeks worth of play. I guess Focus On The Family is upset that seniors are spending that ten bucks on fun instead of sending it to a televangelist to buy a ticket to heaven.
.
96 posted on 03/15/2007 9:34:50 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: mugs99

I certainly agree that nothing is more important then liberty. What candidate best supports your ideals then?


97 posted on 03/15/2007 9:38:55 AM PDT by Durus ("Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." JFK)
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To: Durus

Ron Paul is the only candidate that has a record of supporting liberty.
Unless the RP gets back to its small government roots, the RP will become a permanent minority party.


98 posted on 03/15/2007 9:53:33 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: mugs99
Is Foxwoods game really Web gambling?

Foxwoods will find a way. They already got caught in 1999-2000 using Federal funds (millions $$$) to pay non-Indian employee benefits with a slap on the wrist "don't do that anymore". They will find a way around this too.

99 posted on 03/15/2007 10:41:03 AM PDT by Ms. AntiFeminazi (Duncan Hunter voted against Term Limits)
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To: mugs99
I really like Ron Paul. My issue with him is that when presented a conflict between the constitution and libertarian dogma he will go with the libertarian side.

This bothers me less then someone who would go against the constitution for other purposes but I would really like to find a candidate that holds the constitution as the basis of their principles. I don't think libertarianism is often be at odds with constitutional principle but it's still something that concerns me. Despite that I could enthusiastically support Ron Paul.
100 posted on 03/15/2007 10:58:08 AM PDT by Durus ("Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." JFK)
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