Posted on 08/13/2007 1:24:44 PM PDT by pissant
To members of Free Republic and friends, I would like to introduce a candidate for President of the United States and the current congressman from the 52nd district of California, Duncan Hunter!! To Americans who value the patriotism and missions of our Armed Forces, to those who want to put fear into the hearts of our adversaries from Beijing to Tehran, to those who value the rule of law when it comes to illegal immigration, to those who realize that the unborn deserve full legal protection beginning at conception, to those who believe Peace through Strength is far more than a motto, to those who do not like giving communist China unfettered access to our markets while they cheat at every turn, to those who want to halt and reverse losses of US sovereignty to global entities, and to those who want the GOP to return to Reaganism, Mr. Hunter is the Best choice.
Congressman Hunter currently is the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, after spending the previous 4 years as its chair. He is an original co-sponsor of the Fair Tax bill and he is the author of the Secure Borders bill, signed by President Bush in 2006, which mandates 800+ miles of double fence across the smuggling corridors of the SW. He also is the man who has led the fight against NAFTA’s Mexican truckers having free reign on our roads, has forced congressional oversight of the executive branch’s ‘Security and Prosperity Partnership’ with Canada and Mexico, and was instrumental in saving our military intelligence officers from having to jump through bureaucratic hoops unrelated to combat.
A Vietnam combat Veteran himself, he currently has a son in the Marine Corps, Capt. Duncan Duane Hunter who is busy hunting jihadis in Afghanistan after two tours in Iraq. Congressman Hunter has been the anti-dote to the liberals in Congress doing their damndest to cut and run from the battlefield. Mr. Hunter knows that this war is our generation’s calling, and “the only way we can leave is to WIN”.
Below are 15 questions we compiled last month on Free Republic, which we sent to Congressman Hunter a few weeks ago. They are followed by his answers. This is the springboard we will use to kick off Mr. Hunter’s live “virtual press conference” on FR today.
Please stop by and say hello and you may post additional questions. HOWEVER, Please realize that time limitations will prevent him from answering all the questions you may have. Though he may get time later to forward answers to many left unaddressed during this session.
Please drop Jim Robinson a note of thanks as well. For not only hosting this event, but for having the best conservative website in the country!
Also, no disruptors allowed. Your posts will be removed.
The following is our Kickoff Q&A session:
I certainly will if I can, also everyone else I come in contact with! :)
Thanks for taking the time to do this, Congressman Hunter. You have my vote, my support, and my prayers!
The summary that I posted at 463 of Congressman Duncan Hunter's responses to questions on this thread was missing two questions. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, dschapin.
My apologies to Congressman Duncan Hunter and FReepers KingSnorky and sierrascrapper for the unintentional omissions. Here are the two omitted questions, and the responses by Duncan Hunter. My next post will contain the entire Summary again, with these posts embedded in the order in which Congressman Hunter answered them.
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
It’s been obvious for a long time that Iran supplies weapons to terrorists in Iraq and that those weapons are being used to kill our soldiers. What would you do as president to stop Iranian arms and supplies shipment to terrorists in Iraq? Thanks!
42 posted on 08/13/2007 4:38:00 PM EDT by KingSnorky
To: KingSnorky
You may have noticed the recent interception of weapons from European smugglers to Insurgents in Baghdad. Good intelligence is the primary tool for the interdiction of arms shipments. However, the reality is that the borders of Iraq are enormously porous, our human intelligence apparatus is still recovering from the Clinton Era and the prospects for stemming the flow of arms into any Middle East country are dim. Iran has been proven to have provided deadly bombs which have been used against Americans in Iraq. As a result, at this point our nation has total license to destroy any sources, supply lines, or training facilities that support these anti-American activities. Further, should the Iranians continue down the path of nuclear weapons development, the United States must have plans to prevent the acquisition by Iran of a nuclear device. As President, I will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.
157 posted on 08/13/2007 5:11:24 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Many of us support you and want to get the word out better but don’t know how to do it the best. ...With so many people on the internet, it’s important to keep content fresh and up to date. Is there anything that your supporters can do to help your team promote you better?
83 posted on 08/13/2007 4:47:19 PM EDT by sierrascrapper (DUNCAN HUNTER 08 for more info visit www.gohunter08.com)
To: sierrascrapper
My sincere thanks for your support! Presently, we are running our Chuck Yeager commercials in Iowa and will commence them in Texas shortly. If you have any spare cash, send it in! Haha. This campaign is a marathon, not a sprint, and I intend to win.
213 posted on 08/13/2007 5:28:09 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
Hey, we’ve had a few duncanistas join FR lately. Welcome and be sure to say hi to the owner here, Jim. He’s a cranky SOG at times, but he also is a solid patriot.
Well, that’s good to know. God bless The Man, and God bless you for your generosiity.
If you want 100% of your contribution to go to the campaign, personal checks sent to:
Go Hunter 08
9340 Fuerte Drive, Suite 302
La Mesa, CA 91941-4164
Should do it. The Credit Card Companies skim 5% off the top, so they must be rolling in dough these days. :)
The Summary of this thread that I posted at 463 was missing two questions, by KingSnorky and sierrascrapper. The Summary below contains the two omitted questions, and the responses, in the order in which Congressman Hunter answered them, at 157 and 213.
______________________
From: Duncan Hunter
Thanks to everyone for being with us today and thanks to Jim Robinson for allowing this to occur. I recognize that I have a healthy amount of support on the site and I’m glad to spend time answering any questions you may have. Again, many thanks to everyone including pissant!
45 posted on 08/13/2007 4:39:34 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
To: pissant
Thank you to everyone for being with us! A special thanks to Jim Robinson for providing the forum and making this happen. I’m glad to be here answering any follow up questions you may have for me. Also, special thanks to pissant for all of the support!
47 posted on 08/13/2007 4:40:01 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
To: Duncan Hunter
Thank you Congressman Hunter. It’s a real honor to have you with us. We’re all wishing you the very best of luck in your campaign. We need a real conservative as president. ...God bless.
84 posted on 08/13/2007 4:47:22 PM EDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
...You are one of the STRONGEST advocates for protecting innocent, human life, including being the author of the the personhood-at-conception bill, and you and Senator Brownback were the ONLY two presidential candidates to attend the pro-life march in D.C.... I heard a political analyst say that former Governor Huckabee did so well because of the life issue, and I wish you would also make your very strong pro-life position better known to live audiences....
10 posted on 08/13/2007 4:30:07 PM EDT by Sun (Duncan Hunter: pro-life/borders, understands Red China threat! http://www.gohunter08.com/Home.aspx)
To: Sun
In every speech I state that as President, when reviewing judicial applicants, any candidate for the bench who can view a sonogram of an unborn child, and not see a valuable human life, will not receive my appointment. This has been my position throughout my career and will be strongly emphasized in my Presidency. I will continue to make that known and continue to solicit co-sponsors in my legislation that establishes legal recognition of the unborn at conception.
50 posted on 08/13/2007 4:40:29 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Mr. Hunter, welcome ...Is your son making progress in his bid to replace you in your congressional seat? ...
17 posted on 08/13/2007 4:32:44 PM EDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq — via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
To: Kevmo
Since [my son] Duncan has been recalled to active duty in the marines and is serving in Afghanistan, while remaining an official candidate for congress, he is not allowed to solicit political support in any way. However, those of us who believe in Duncan can raise money and volunteers as we wait for him to return to the U.S. in November. ...Don’t put me down as undecided! Send any help to his website at www.hunterforcongress.com. Many thanks!
61 posted on 08/13/2007 4:42:51 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Welcome Congressman. ...I was wondering what is your position on major tax reform such as what is proposed in HR 25 (Fair Tax).
24 posted on 08/13/2007 4:34:25 PM EDT by CougarGA7 (It's up to us to keep it all from unraveling)
To: CougarGA7
Yes, I am an original co-sponsor of the Fair Tax. Its attractiveness is manifested in the $250 billion + savings that Americans will enjoy from relief of the tax bureaucracy and also will solve the double taxation problem that penalizes American exporters. This will result in a reduction of the trade deficit, and increased American jobs and profits.
76 posted on 08/13/2007 4:45:31 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
My two sons served in Iraq. My younger son came back a month ago. Let me tell you that they were dismayed at the reporting from Iraq upon their return. They see positve improvements within the past two years....My brother, a Navy LCDR lived in the Green Zone. When I asked him about a certain bombing the media reported. He denied it happened. ...The media seem only interested in the political component to this war. How do you see their behavior?
20 posted on 08/13/2007 4:33:40 PM EDT by rbosque ("To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." - Teddy Roosevelt)
To: rbosque
The problem with the media’s interpretation of the events in Iraq is that their reports tend to devolve into justifications for their personal political positions which are generally left-winged. A reporter at a bar in Baghdad can select practically any anecdotal circumstance he wants to make a “factual conclusion”. In recent weeks, even liberal observers have acknowledged that the Marines have turned around the situation in Anbar Province where the population has joined them to resist Al-Quaeda. However, if you ask the average American if he has seen evidence of this shift on American television, the answer is no.
91 posted on 08/13/2007 4:49:53 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Sir, if you have time, what is your position on ‘earmarks’ and other projects - especially non-defense items? This ties in with your views on federalism (as espoused by the ANTI-federalists Mason, Henry, Lee, and Ronald W. Reagan)
23 posted on 08/13/2007 4:33:59 PM EDT by 4CJ (Annoy a liberal, honour Christians and our gallant Confederate dead)
To: 4CJ
Let me give a few examples of Hunter “earmarks”:
1) The double fence between Tijuana and San Diego that reduced smuggling of people and narcotics by more than 90%.
2) 10,000 jammers for troops in Iraq to protect against roadside bombs.
3) Filtration ponds on the most polluted river in North America (New River at the Mexican border) which have been credited with providing a 90% cleanup of the tainted water which is diverted through them.
My point is: Representatives of congressional districts are supposed to put together the budget of the United States. There is no Constitutional basis for the new thinking that the President’s budget is sacrosanct and that any changes by the very Representatives of the areas affected are somehow “illegitimate”. Spending or participating in the budget process is not, in and of itself, illegitimate, but is rather the very obligation of Congress. That said, wasteful projects should be eliminated, and their authors held politically accountable. You may notice that I post all my Congressional initiatives on the internet so that Americans can judge my record.
114 posted on 08/13/2007 4:58:08 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
By the way, we’re already planning Free Republic’s Duncan Hunter Inaugural Ball I in Washington, DC.... Know you will be busy that night, but hope you get a chance to stop by and say howdy.
98 posted on 08/13/2007 4:52:50 PM EDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
To: Jim Robinson
Jim, That’s the kind of optimism I appreciate! Things are going great and with supporters like you I know that we should be planning that Inauguration right now. Lol!
122 posted on 08/13/2007 4:59:42 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
...as President, what will you do to stop the attacks on our Second Amendment rights and prevent legislation like the ill concieved “assault Weapons ban” from being signed into law?
35 posted on 08/13/2007 4:36:33 PM EDT by hawkboy (Duncan Hunter '08!)
To: hawkboy
You may recall that I pointed out in the New Hampshire debate that Governor Romney and Mayor Guiliani strongly supported the Clinton “assault weapon ban”. I fought this legislation and pointed out at a press conference with Charlton Heston that under the proposed legislation President Clinton’s own Benelli Shotgun would be banned if augmented with a magazine extender and a pistol grip. Armed Americans are an important part of Homeland Defense, and are protected by the U.S. Constitution. I will not allow their rights to be eroded.
132 posted on 08/13/2007 5:04:25 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
It’s been obvious for a long time that Iran supplies weapons to terrorists in Iraq and that those weapons are being used to kill our soldiers. What would you do as president to stop Iranian arms and supplies shipment to terrorists in Iraq? Thanks!
42 posted on 08/13/2007 4:38:00 PM EDT by KingSnorky
To: KingSnorky
You may have noticed the recent interception of weapons from European smugglers to Insurgents in Baghdad. Good intelligence is the primary tool for the interdiction of arms shipments. However, the reality is that the borders of Iraq are enormously porous, our human intelligence apparatus is still recovering from the Clinton Era and the prospects for stemming the flow of arms into any Middle East country are dim. Iran has been proven to have provided deadly bombs which have been used against Americans in Iraq. As a result, at this point our nation has total license to destroy any sources, supply lines, or training facilities that support these anti-American activities. Further, should the Iranians continue down the path of nuclear weapons development, the United States must have plans to prevent the acquisition by Iran of a nuclear device. As President, I will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.
157 posted on 08/13/2007 5:11:24 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
?I hear too many alarming reports suggesting that the limitations of our military Rules of Engagement often risk the safety of our troops, and obstruct their ability to effectively prosecute the war in Iraq. Do you agree with that premise, and, if so, what plans would a Hunter presidency have in place to address this issue?
104 posted on 08/13/2007 4:55:33 PM EDT by lonevoice (It's always "Apologize to a Muslim Hour"...somewhere)
To: lonevoice
American Soldiers and Marines must have the ability to
1) destroy the enemy
2) protect themselves
These requirements are interpreted by battlefield commanders who adopt specific rules according to the area of operations. For example: a crowded city is not a free-fire zone, while a situation like the second battle of Fallujah where the civilian population is evacuated is much different. Urban fighting is extremely difficult, because the enemy is often revealed only as they expose weapons immediately prior to their attack. Most battlefield commanders take this into consideration when laying out rules of engagement in specific situations. My recommendation is always to enact ROE’s that favor the survival of U.S. Troops.
179 posted on 08/13/2007 5:19:28 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
The one thing that really bothers me are the special interest groups. So many past Presidents have turned their back on the American people to cater to these groups. How would you handle these people?
51 posted on 08/13/2007 4:40:37 PM EDT by freekitty
To: freekitty
Rather than base a Presidency on the satisfaction of interest groups, I will work to shape an America where our citizens are more independent of government the day I leave the White House than when I take office.
185 posted on 08/13/2007 5:21:25 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Wow, I’m so proud to be posting to you today....When are you coming to Pennsylvania? :-)
66 posted on 08/13/2007 4:44:12 PM EDT by sneakers (This Pennsylvania gal supports DUNCAN HUNTER for President!)
To: sneakers
I hope to be in Pennsylvania within the next six weeks! I was last there speaking in support of the great Congressman Joe Pitts (Air Force Pilot, Conservative, Patriot).
190 posted on 08/13/2007 5:22:48 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Will you make an unalterable, clear, binding commitment that we will win the war on terrorism and the campaign in Iraq, so that the blood shed in this war will not have been shed in vain? Will you make that commitment to those troops who have given life and limb and to their families and loved ones?
75 posted on 08/13/2007 4:45:21 PM EDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain And Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
To: xzins
I have already given that commitment to the American Troops. One thing I can’t give is a guarantee of Freedom for the state of Iraq, as no nation’s Freedom can be guaranteed in purpetuity (not even the United States). As Benjamin Franklin said, “We have a Republic, if we can keep it”. I will continue our Military Campaign against Islamist Terrorists with increased vigilance and effort.
206 posted on 08/13/2007 5:25:58 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Many of us support you and want to get the word out better but don’t know how to do it the best. ...With so many people on the internet, it’s important to keep content fresh and up to date. Is there anything that your supporters can do to help your team promote you better?
83 posted on 08/13/2007 4:47:19 PM EDT by sierrascrapper (DUNCAN HUNTER 08 for more info visit www.gohunter08.com)
To: sierrascrapper
My sincere thanks for your support! Presently, we are running our Chuck Yeager commercials in Iowa and will commence them in Texas shortly. If you have any spare cash, send it in! Haha. This campaign is a marathon, not a sprint, and I intend to win.
213 posted on 08/13/2007 5:28:09 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
______________________
To: Duncan Hunter
Thank you Congressman Hunter. It’s a real honor to have you with us. We’re all wishing you the very best of luck in your campaign. We need a real conservative as president. ...God bless.
84 posted on 08/13/2007 4:47:22 PM EDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
To: Jim Robinson
I’m leaving to meet a constituent that I haven’t seen for a long time... my wife! Jim, many thanks for the forum and to everybody, I am grateful for your support and I will be happy to return for another conversation! I will work with Sam to answer more of the questions in the coming weeks. God Bless!
- Duncan
217 posted on 08/13/2007 5:30:26 PM EDT by Duncan Hunter
To: Duncan Hunter
Great! Thank you very much. We look forward to your next visit. Good luck!! ...God bless.
234 posted on 08/13/2007 5:32:59 PM EDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
To: pissant
Great job, pissant! Thank you very much for making this happen!!
243 posted on 08/13/2007 5:34:16 PM EDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
Excellent, ma’am. LOL
Thanks
See the additions to the Summary and revised Summary at 623 and 626.
:-)
Why, thank YOU, sir!
:-D
While it is true that the Employment Eligibility Verification System proposals do intend to utilize SSNs as a national identifier (contrary to federal law), this is a minor point, since EEVS is designed to eventually make a REAL ID card mandatory for the employment of every working American.
But even this is a secondary concern. Regardless of the particular identification method used, the fact remains that the proposals greatly expand the power of the federal government by giving it unprecedented oversight over every American's livelihood. Under EEVS, the Department of Homeland Security would determine who is allowed to work, and set the criteria used, with no accountability. The DHS would receive confidential IRS tax information on every worker. "Employer" is defined so broadly as to deny you the right to hire a person for even household services, unless you comply with EEVS. Worst of all, you could be denied the right to work due to clerical error or computer glitch (as evidenced by the error-prone pilot program), or by refusing to divulge personal information or biometric data.
I don't believe most Americans would find this an acceptable remedy to our illegal immigration problem.
It is unfortunate that Congressman Hunter, along with Rep. Tancredo (surprisingly), appear to have joined Mitt Romney and John McCain in advocating something so unnecessary and dangerous. I respectfully invite the good Congressman to explain his position on this. Thanks for your time!
That makes no sense. You have to give proof of who you are to get a driver’s license, a pilots license, a concealed weapons permit, a security clearance, a home loan, a bank account, etc.
They should ALL be checking your SS# to determine if:
a) you are who you say you are.
b) there aren’t a bunch of folks if SoCal and NY using your same number
There is no reason to explore tax records UNLESS there are multiple folks filing under the same name/SS#. Then they should automatically review it.
I see no reason for “biometric” data or any additional cards.
What criteria would you like to be used to determine US citizenship? Rudy is the one pushing real ID. Hunter wants to fix the SS system and make it work.
Now for some future guest worker program, they should finger print, blood sample, and everything else.
Giggle and a might pretty guy he is. When you upload pics; I heard you have to have something like photo bucket?
Oh yes, my dogs are sweeties; just big.
The method or type of information gathered is of secondary concern to the overall scheme. Of primary concern is that EEVS makes every American worker at the mercy of the federal government for "eligibility" to get a job. That is so far beyond what is considered the proper role of republican government that it shrugs toward totalitarianism. The potential for abuse is, of course, astounding. (Read this testimony before Congress to get up to speed.)
Again, there is no sense trying defending this indefensible system, just because a good man appears to support it. It's a bad proposal that should be defeated, yet again, just as we dodged this very bullet with the demise of the Senate bill.
What I would like is for Congressman Hunter to explain whether he does, indeed, fully support this proposal and why. Perhaps he was misled or hasn't thought it through. I'll await his response. Thanks.
OK, let me try one more time. What method of ID would YOU suggest to identify US legal status?
That's not the question. The question is: Why should we adopt a program that gives the federal government the power to tell me whether I can or cannot work? Don't you see a danger in giving our servant, the government, the say over whether you or I be employed? Isn't there something Orwellian about surrendering our privacy to Big Brother in order to gain permission to put food on the table?
But to answer your question, it doesn't necessarily matter the form or method of discovering illegal status (it generally is self-evident), so long as we are not required to give up our liberties in the process. As this testimony before Congress attests, the EEVS steps over the line, treads onto our privacy, and opens the door to much abuse. (All under the guise of the best intentions, of course.) Besides, it won't even work, because it increases the demand for forgeries and identity theft.
You know, it's interesting that the Employment Eligibility Verification System was started in pilot in 1997, under Clinton, before border security was brought to attention. Only recently, at Bush's urging, has this already-in-the-works program been attached to the illegal immigration problem. That should tell you something. It is unfortunate that some folks are knowingly or unknowingly using our insecure borders to pass this monstrous beast.
Congressman Hunter would do better to stick to building an effective fence and enforcing the laws already on the books, rather than getting mixed up in this liberal mess. It wouldn't take much. We just need leaders with the political will to enforce our borders, who will preserve not just our physical security but liberty also.
It is the question. Do you agree or disagree that you must be a US citizen or a legal resident to work here.
Of course the answer is yes, you agree.
Now, how does an employer verify that and who is responsible for determining that status. By golly, its Uncle Sam.
OK, so how does Sam determine legal status? It can be a birth certificate, I suppose. Or a sworn affidavit from relatives I guess. Or they can use a SS#, which every ciitzen is assigned either at birth or upon legalization.
Is there potential for abuse? I suppose. Do you put in safeguards to mitigate that, of course.
No matter how you slice it, a person being present in the USA does not qualify him to work. He must be legal.
And the privacy you mention does not exist. You pay taxes. Sam knows what you make and where you work. You get a license, Sam knows where you live. The system is not to tell YOU that you cannot work. It is to tell miguel from Mexico that he cannot work.
How can you enforce existing laws if no one knows a persons legal status?
big bttt.
Thanks so much for coming by and answering some questions and making your positions clear.
I couldn't follow along with the thread yesterday because it was a day with my Granddaughter. (Barbie.com trumped FR...)
I read it all later.
Thanks also for kicking in those Family Values priorities.
: >)
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