Duncan Hunter, The Right Man For The Right Reasons

November 18, 2007

As the campaigning for the 2008 election for President of the United States heats up, we are seeing candidates from both parties taking bolder stances on some issues. Democrats seem more determined than ever for a “change of course” in the War on Terror, Iraq Theater. Translated, that means surrender and abandon the fight just as all signs point to progress. Democrats also seem to be vying for who can raise taxes the highest and offer the most giveaways in their usual bid at class envy saying they will only raise taxes on the “wealthy.”

On the Republican side, other than Libertarian masquerading as a Republican, Ron Paul, all support the fight and all are vying for who is the most conservative, some having to adjust so as to claim a new found conservative stance.

John McCain, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and Rudy Guiliani all have past records to some degree of coddling to Liberals on matters as gun control, abortion, same-sex marriage, campaign finance, illegal immigration and more somewhere along the line. In one or more of the areas mentioned, each has caved to the Democrats in their past. Perhaps they felt that seeking the middle ground was easiest or the best way to go to fulfill a promise or stay in office.

As far as I’m concerned, Ron Paul is just a loser and doesn’t merit mention. His anti-war whine would get many Americans killed within our borders.

Another viable candidate coming up is former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee. Many find his claim to conservatism to be overstated, though, describing him best as a “moderate.”

Largely ignored but slowly gaining support is California Congressman, Duncan Hunter. Of all the Republican candidates, he is the only one who has not felt the need to modify his stance on the issues or overstate his congressional record. In his 26 years representing San Diego, California citizens, his stance has remained constant, making him the most consistent candidate seeking the Republican nomination.

Only he and Senator McCain served in our Military, both in Viet Nam, with McCain being held as a POW and Hunter serving in the Airborne and Army Rangers for full tours, not seeking medals and glorifying himself with false claims of heroics, as did a former self described war hero Democrat. Unlike that same Democrat, Mr. Hunter did not return to America and begin stabbing his fellow Veterans in the back for political gain.

He clearly sees the folly of “Hate Crimes” legislation, saying, “If crimes are prioritized based on the victims' status, we threaten the very tenet of equal protection under the law that is the foundation of our legal system. Instead, all violations of the law should be dealt with in a manner that delivers justice on behalf of the victims and their families,” and “The idea espoused in so called "hate crime" legislation that some murders are less serious than others rebukes common sense.”

A signatory of the 1994 Republican “Contract With America,” he is one of the few who held to its tenets and is rated 100% by the Christian Coalition on family issues.

A strong supporter of our Second Amendment right to Bear Arms, he has received an A+ score from the NRA on pro-gun rights policies. As Hunter once said, “the Second Amendment is not about hunting. It is about the right of you and me to be secure in our homes. You know as well as I do that there is one thing criminals prefer over any other: unarmed victims.”

Strong on the idea of Homeland Security, Hunter has been consistently far above his contemporaries when it comes to illegal immigration. He is responsible for having a double fence constructed along the Mexican American border near San Diego, California. Some claim that the resultant drop in illegal traffic and crime merely shifted it elsewhere. As significant a drop as was seen in the area, I say continue building the fence and shifting the crime until there is no place left to shift it to. Lawsuits claimed to be holding up more construction should be dismissed immediately as matters of National Security, I feel.

A strong supporter of the War on Terror, including the Iraq Theater, Congressman Hunter is the only candidate of either party who’s son has served in the war to date. Senator McCain has a son in the Naval Academy and Democrat Joe Biden has a son in the National Guard who may be sent to Iraq next year. That and Hunter’s own two combat tours in Viet Nam give him a unique perspective on Military matters that others need advisors on.

Given the above, I am constantly amazed at how many conservatives don’t support Hunter’s candidacy because he hasn’t already gotten more support from others. Nearly all admit he has the strongest conservative message and stance. One said, “It seems that of all the announced candidates, Duncan strikes the right chord for conservatism. But for whatever reason, his candidacy has failed to catch on with the public. There’s still time. Figure out what to do to change the public’s perception of the potential of your candidacy, and you’ll have an advocate here.”

Perhaps the “perception problem” is that conservatives are falling into the popularity trap, supporting who is said to be the most popular, instead of the most conservative. Perhaps they are running scared of Hillary Clinton, who is perceived as assured the Democrat nomination. What they fail to realize is that who ever we select and who will energize conservative voters that didn’t vote in 2006, can and will defeat Hillary Clinton.

Hunter has the experience. He has the most consistent record. He has the courage. He has the know how. He has the desire.

What he doesn’t have is you!

Lew

UPDATE: Duncan Hunter is no lackey nor party stooge, as was revealed in a 2006 article from The Hill, Leadership knows Rep. Duncan Hunter’s arm doesn’t twist