Posted on 05/17/2007 11:44:29 AM PDT by pissant
If last night’s Republican presidential debate in South Carolina taught us anything, it is that the top three presidential candidates, at best, have tortured positions on many of the most important issues to traditional conservatives. It also demonstrated once again that the supreme issue in the upcoming election is the myriad security challenges facing the nation. The challenges include rogue nations like Iran, a lawless border that allows for millions of unknown persons to enter the country, and emerging threats from nations like China that are slowly but methodically building their military and economic might at the expense of the U.S. trade relationship.
While Giuliani’s personal charisma and his leadership on 9/11 and John McCain’s heroic war service bolster their respective claims to the national security mantel, their well-known softness on the immigration security issue guarantee the status quo (or worse) should either be elected. Meanwhile Governor Romney’s carefully worded positions sound better, but are ultimately far too much like President Bush’s trite platitudes – platitudes that have maintained the border in its moribund state and may someday prove to have been the security breach that provided the entry point for the terrorists that nearly all government officials agree will strike us again.
Today, we are reminded again of how tone deaf the Republican Party remains on the issue of border security and how willing the Party is too sell out its core constituency. The talking points leaked by House Republicans on the proposed immigration deal are a blueprint for amnesty and a recipe for continuing lawlessness on our southern border. It is an affront to all law-abiding citizens and a complete derogation of the core duty of the federal government.
Were the mainstream media to be the only voice in America our choices would be limited to the willfully suicidal Democrats or the above cadre of obfuscating office-seekers. While Congressman Tancredo continues to beat the drum of border security, his fringy style and his seemingly anti-immigrant rhetoric have lead to his complete marginalization by the mainstream press and have resulted in an utter credibility vacuum on one of the most important issues facing the nation.
Enter Congressman Duncan Hunter. Over the course of two Republican debates Congressman Hunter’s assertive clarity has caught the eye of GOP voters hungry for a candidate they can trust. As more voters take a closer look at Hunter, they discover a solidly conservative record from a dedicated public servant who served his country in Vietnam and has continued to be a stalwart advocate for America’s armed forces as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. While not all of Hunter’s conservative positions may play well during a general election, it is clear that with Hunter, what you see is what you get.
Hunter remains the only candidate that has actually made a difference in the border security struggle by authoring the legislation that built the beefed-up border fence in his San Diego, California constituency. As a result San Diego has seen a massive decline in both illegal immigration and crime, much of it narcotics driven. Nevertheless, despite Hunter’s dogged determination he has managed to remain positive about legal immigration and respectful of those seeking a better life in America.
Moreover, Hunter’s unabashed skepticism about China’s duplicity and his stated willingness to help reign in the unfair trade practices that are undermining America’s manufacturing base is music to the ears of Americans tired of watching jobs and factories shipped overseas. During the debate Hunter zeroed in on the nexus between economics and security noting:
“They now have us at a $2-$300 billion trade loss annually with China and they’re using American billions to buy ships and planes and missiles. They just bought these Sovremenny-class missile destroyers from the Russians, which were designed to kill American aircraft carriers.”
Though Hunter is not the first to warn of China’s emerging threat potential, his loan voice of caution on Tuesday’s debate stage was reminiscent of Winston Churchill’s admonitions of the gathering storm in 1930s Germany. In a pool of security dinghies, Duncan was a dreadnought.
Hunter may not have the money or the name identification to be considered “first tier,” but his steadfast and forthrightly conservative performance has been first rate. Perhaps throughout the course of this abnormally extended election cycle, Republican voters will tire of twisted positions and hackneyed media makeovers and will turn to a candidate that looks conservative, and sounds conservative because he is conservative.
DH PING
Interesting.
I continue to believe that the GOP first tier will be whittled down (McCain and Giuliani won’t last). Then, either Romney is the de facto nominee (and it’s far too early for that) or some second tier people will move up. Thompson and Hunter are the best bets to join the first tier.
Thanks for the ping.
“Over the course of two Republican debates Congressman Hunter’s assertive clarity has caught the eye of GOP voters hungry for a candidate they can trust. As more voters take a closer look at Hunter, they discover a solidly conservative record from a dedicated public servant who served his country in Vietnam and has continued to be a stalwart advocate for America’s armed forces as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. While not all of Hunter’s conservative positions may play well during a general election, it is clear that with Hunter, what you see is what you get. “
I agree. This situation is starting to look very similar to the wackiness that existed during the California Guvner recall, just before aRINOld entered the fray. His media presence is what won him the election. That kind of scenario puts Fred firmly in the catbird seat. I would rather see Duncan Hunter there, and I’ll do what I can to put him in the CIC chair because he’s the best man for the job.
I hope you are correct.
I happen to think ALL of Hunter’s positions will play well.
“his loan voice of caution on Tuesday’s debate stage was reminiscent of Winston Churchill’s admonitions of the gathering storm in 1930s Germany.”
Exactly! If Hunter isn’t elected president, and China becomes more powerful than us, people will one day look back on this campaign and wonder why more people didn’t vote for him.
After what is happening in DC today, Hunter may be the country’s last hope.
I happen to think ALL of Hunter’s positions will play well.
***Good point. He is staying remarkably on message, and so far, I haven’t found it necessary to ever twist myself into a pretzel to support him. His positions do play well across the base and cross-party because of their consistency and how they’ve been honestly arrived at.
I haven’t found it necessary to ever twist myself into a pretzel to support him. His positions do play well across the base and cross-party because of their consistency and how they’ve been honestly arrived at.
You’re right. Positions that are honestly arrived at seem more believable. It’s hard to generate enthusiasm for candidates that you know don’t really believe what they are saying. That’s why I support Hunter.
Like the article says, it is clear that with Hunter, what you see is what you get.
Hunter will be our last hope. Tagline modification to follow.
It’s just like the illegal immigration problem. The answers are simple, but the courage to deal with it is completely AWOL.
No more PC claptrap, no more tapdancing, no more worrying about what the “world” thinks.
I’m tired of nuance. I want plain, pro-american positions and statements and ideas.
We need to push this man over the finish line. America will be grateful.
Exactly. Donate hard and donate often.
What you see is what you get ~ Duncan Hunter is the man for the job!!
That’s why a Thompson/Hunter ticket is perfect IMO.
16 years of control would be possible.
Yep. The Warrior President.
Yes, it is clear to me that Representative Hunter is the best candidate in the race for president in 2008.
If anyone wants to help the campaign, one of the easiest and most important contributions is that of money: Representative Hunter's website is set up to take contributions here.
On the most important issues, Representative Hunter is a true leader for conservatives: he is rated A by both the NRA and the GOA; he has been a strong leader in border enforcement; he has been one of the very few critics in government of our trade policy with Red China; he has been a stalwart in supporting our armed services. I think he has earned the support of all conservatives.
While I like Fred, Hunter has more fire in the belly and is the best man by far to be CIC. So I will continue to work to get Hunter in the top tier. Once there, Katy bar the door. He will be the most quoted presidential candidate ever.
Most times, he has been the lone leader on border enforcement.
*************
There is much to like about Hunter.
The John Wayne of politics in a world of Paris Hiltons.
LOL! They don’t belong in the same sentence. :)
Speaking of Paris Hilton, I just LOVED that Duncan Hunter quote when Michael Graham asked him “if you were Governor of California, would you pardon Paris Hilton?” and Hunter answered bluntly, “I don’t know anything about Paris Hilton, my focus is on national security.”
ShaZAAAAAAM!!! I love it!
Hunter is a real man. Someone else said that about Bolton, I believe. :)
Hunter/Bolton ‘08.
Now THERE is one powerful ticket!
I’d rather have Hunter/Thompson and Bolton as a member of the cabinet. I think. :)
What a day...Duncan, the nation needs you in a bad way.
Yeah, don’t think Hunter will be doing Oprah either.
Bolton would be best as head of Homeland security or the State dept. Both need to be cleaned out and refocused.
Yep. And it will be up to the House GOP, led by Hunter to abort this evil spawn.
Bill
I will do what I can and will tell others as well.
“dreadnought”
I like that term when referring to Congressman Hunter.
“No more PC claptrap, no more tapdancing, no more worrying about what the “world” thinks.”
There is a time a place to acknowledge what the “world” thinks. National security is not one of those times.
Keep spreading the word. Thanks.
That’s all one can do!!
I thought it was a good one too. I should probably email the blogger and tell him I posted his article on FR.
This is how I feel about what the Republicans are doing.
If yesterday's bill on amnesty for illegals (kennedy/mccain) is a white flag, I hope the voters take note that one candidate (McCain) has shown where he stands on immigration.
McPain is toast.
Excellent blog. Well said. Duncan Hunter is the best candidate we could hope for.
Thompson and Hunter are the best bets to join the first tier.
Hunter seems more of a staunch conservative, whereas Thompson seems more of a pragmatic conservative. Both look like the best conservative choices. I believe whoever wins the Republican nomination will win the White House (the DEMOniCRATS are too loony for most Americans). The way I see it, if God is going to continue to have mercy on our country, He'll help one of these two good men win the nomination. The alternatives look like a quick trip to the disappearance of our beloved country.
If you like this blog, please visit our page, lowreview.com, and gopublius.com
thanks!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.