Posted on 05/02/2007 3:50:21 PM PDT by pissant
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) hopes to emerge as the authentic conservative in the GOP presidential field by presenting himself as strong on national security and focusing on two issues his fellow candidates spend little time talking about: cracking down on China for devaluing its currency and building a fence along the U.S. border with Mexico.
"What we're going to do is carry this message: strong national defense, enforceable borders and a two-way street on trade," Hunter said in an interview with The Politico.
The interview was one in a series of sessions with Republican candidates in advance of today's GOP Presidential Candidates Debate. The event is being hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in conjunction with MSNBC and Politico.com.
Ten candidates have accepted invitations to participate in the debate, the first of the cycle for Republican presidential candidates. It will air exclusively on cable's MSNBC, with full coverage on MSNBC.com. The Politico will stream the debate live on Politico.com, providing an exclusive and unprecedented opportunity for viewers to ask and vote on questions via the Internet.
Hunter said his major contrast with the leading GOP candidates is on trade with China. He said most of the Republican front-runners were "captives of their support base" -- multinational corporations. In contrast, he said he would take a much more aggressive posture against China if elected president.
"I will stop China from cheating on trade," said Hunter. "I'm going to enforce trade rules, and devaluing your currency … is cheating on trade. That's a government subsidy by any definition."
Hunter, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, sharply criticized Democrats for legislation setting benchmarks and a withdrawal date for troops in Iraq. He has called for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to resign from his leadership post after saying the Iraq war was lost.
"We're involved in a test of wills with the terrorists, and the idea that an American leader announces that we've lost in the middle of this shooting war does a real disservice to our people," said Hunter. "It can only be interpreted by the enemy as a very encouraging sign."
He acknowledged, however, that the war was having a "slightly degrading effect" among Republicans and could hurt the party's political prospects in 2008.
"What you have to do is take the positions you think are right, and let's see how the waves of politics ... how they handle that message," said Hunter. "I think you have to accept (that) if it's detrimental to the campaign, then so be it. At least you did the right thing."
When asked about the call of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on "Fox News Sunday" last weekend to close the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Hunter strongly disagreed.
"The idea ... that we move those people to prisons into the United States, where they can impart their bomb-making skills to American criminals, is, I think, one of the most ludicrous suggestions in the last several months," Hunter said.
"The inmates at Guantanamo eat better than any prisoners in the world. There have been no murders in Guantanamo, and there's no member of Congress who can say that about any prison in his district."
Excerpts from Hunter interview On immigration, Hunter is one of the few candidates to call for the deportation of the nearly 10 million illegal immigrants nationwide. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), another border security hawk, has suggested that simply cracking down on employer hiring would suffice.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with asking folks who come in illegally ... to go home. We deport thousands of people every month," said Hunter. "I don't see any other way to re-establish the currency of American law than to keep the law."
Hunter believes that, based on strong performances in key straw polls in Arizona and South Carolina, he can become a presidential contender. That is, if he can get his name identification raised.
"If you've noticed, in places where people know me, like the Arizona straw poll, we won without even being in the state," Hunter said. "What that shows is, when I get my message out, we do very well. What I've got to do is get my message out."
I’m ready!!
“And I’m reminded of the idiots who think Rudy is actually going to win.
And the level of analysis behind that besides wishful thinking is what, exactly?”
He is behind in the polls in early states. Romney is outraising money, and out-hustling endorsements and early state activity.
Rudy’s pulling out of the Iowa straw poll is the last straw.
Rudy was just in front due to name ID. Once people discover the real liberalism of prochoice anti-gun ‘sanctuary city’ Rudy, they reject him. Rudy cannot win any serious race with a conservative electorate. He will pick up votes in Cali and New York and that’s about it. Romney will run well ahead of Rudy by the time its all said and done.
McCain also is Dead Candidate Walking. Thompson is filling the vacuum for his fall quite nicely.
As long as we have straw ‘men’ and wood, hay and stubble we will see straw polls.
Or choose to ignore them and their peddlers.
Hunter BUMP anyway! ;^)
The idea ... that we move those people to prisons into the United States, where they can impart their bomb-making skills to American criminals, is, I think, one of the most ludicrous suggestions in the last several months. The inmates at Guantanamo eat better than any prisoners in the world. There have been no murders in Guantanamo, and there's no member of Congress who can say that about any prison in his district." (Hunter on McCain's idea to close Guantanamo.)
Dammit. It really pisses me off that the GOP rank and file could not understand that nominating a RINO was the sure fire way to lose the election
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