I agree Thompson is a dull speaker. I don’t think he has much chance of appeal outside Republican circles. He’s not a known actor; it will have to be pointed out to just about everyone and he doesn’t have the admiration factor of a Hunter who has combat experience and a son who serves in the current WOT. Hunter would have broader appeal in a general election rather than this Fred mania. The man doesn’t live up to the hype.
I can't say how Duncan is as a speaker because, frankly, I've not heard him speak. I tend to keep abreast of politics, so this suggests to me that he's got about zero recognition outside his own campaign and his own district in SoCal. Frankly, the response of most Republicans I talk to, even those who are activist types, when I mention Duncan Hunter to them is "Who?" Guy's got no chance, I'm sorry to say. Let him get some national coverage as Fred's Veep, and let him run again in 2016 without the training wheels. For now, he is "Duncan the Unready".