Posted on 06/19/2007 5:28:20 AM PDT by pissant
Republican voters of all ages liked what they heard Monday from GOP presidential candidate Duncan Hunter.
The 2008 elections are more than 15 months away, but Howard and Jamie Spray of Snow Camp count themselves as supporters.
“I was very impressed,” said Howard Spray. “Before we came I looked him up on the Internet because I wasn’t overly familiar with him. I liked his stance on everything I read.”
That appears to be the rub for the California congressman. Those attending Monday’s fundraiser for Hunter didn’t know much about him even as they enjoyed his straightforward, old-school conservatism.
That could change if the Sprays’ lack of enthusiasm with current Republican front-runners like John McCain proves widespread.
“I’m not excited with the first tier of candidates,” said Howard Spray. “I’m really impressed by this man.”
Hunter’s lack of name recognition doesn’t bother the Sprays. Howard Spray said he plans to support the Californian’s candidacy as long as he stays in the race.
Hunter’s speaking skills and his conservative stances should play well among youthful GOP voters, says 21-year-old Kelsie Riddell. “He was a very good speaker, very good to listen to.”
Hunter is able to “get his thoughts across very quickly” and is “very easy to understand,” Riddell said.
Riddell said she is inclined to vote for Hunter, but tends to “follow the lead” of her father, former county GOP Chairman Dennis Riddell, when it comes to political questions.
Local grassroots campaigning like Monday’s stop in Burlington is the best way for Hunter to gain recognition and votes, Kelsie Riddell said.
Joyce Krawiec came from Kernersville to hear Hunter speak.
Krawiec is a member of Freedom Works, a group that favors less government and lower taxes.
Former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey is the chairman of the conservative group that has 800,000 members, according to its Web site.
Hunter is “pretty much with us on most of the issues,” Krawiec said.
Krawiec originally supported Mitt Romney for president, even holding a fundraiser for him in her home. “I think I’m switching,” to Hunter, she said. “I’ve liked him all along. I just did not think in the beginning that he was recognizable enough across the country.”
Hunter won over Vernon Oakley a long time ago. Oakley, the brother of local resident Charlotte Hoy, came 115 miles from South Hill, Va., to hear his old friend. In the 1960s, Hunter and Oakley went through officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Ga.
“Duncan demonstrated great leadership and the potential for great things,” while a young officer, said Oakley. Even then, Hunter had “great tact,” an “ability to work with people” and is “forceful enough to get things done.”
After more praise from his old Army buddy, Hunter quipped, “You’ve met my new communications director.”
“Duncan demonstrated great leadership and the potential for great things,” while a young officer, said Oakley. Even then, Hunter had “great tact,” an “ability to work with people” and is “forceful enough to get things done.”
Now that is the kind of endorsement that others in the race won't be getting...
DH PING
6 months ago I hadn’t heard of him either. These days I’ll support him 100%.
I am impressed by Hunter and have a lot of respect for him as well.
That being said, he has exactly no chance at securing the nomination.
Look around that site, and you'll find two other things of interest.
Another article. (I'll post it in a moment.
And...a video interview.
I think this is more evidence that the MSM is shutting Hunter out. They don’t want people to hear what he has to say.
He has generally done well in straw polls where people have had an uncensored chance to talk with him. It is frustrating to see him not surging out of the 2nd tier yet. Speaking of MSM - it seems like I see Hunter MUCH more on CNN than I do on FOX. FOX has such a transparent agenda of promoting Rudy - they actually “snarl” when someone like Ann Coulter mentions Duncan Hunter’s name.
I hate FOX.
That being said, he has exactly no chance at securing the nomination.
That's it exactly. I think DH is great, I'd love to see him be President. But at the same time, we have to face the fact that no matter how many of your buddies from OTS give you kudos, this doesn't translate into electability. Let Duncan win a statewide election, for starters, and then he'll perhaps be ready for the main event.
I would be very comforted if Duncan could even be Vice President or Secretary of Defense - an excellent choice either way!
That's because FOX is a RINO preserve. I have to laugh every time I hear people describe FOX as the "conservative" news channel. It's only "conservative" in comparison to the radical Leftists who run ABCNNBCBS. Compared to the average American, however, FOX is still centre-left. It's the Rockefeller-Country Club-Kennedy wing of the Republican Party, at best.
I’ve always knew he was one of the good guys and a real hawk. What set him apart in recent times was his fight not to allow the gutting of our military intel based on the 911 commissions recommendations, his staunch support of our interrogators in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his refusal to bow to political correctness and close Club Gitmo.
That is the best argument not to support him, I suppose. But since it is the only argument, I reject it and encourage all to support him.
I totally agree! I've been saying for a while now that Hunter would make a great VICE-President. This is not to denigrate DH in the least - I just think he needs to get some national exposure and experience winning more than just a single district in SoCal which leans three clicks to the Right of Attila the Hun. I'd love to see DH be FDT's VP for 8 years, and then be POTUS in his own right for the 8 years after that!
I completely agree.
He lives and breathes Peace through Strength
These are strange times, we need Duncan Hunter.
Hannity has had him on a couple of times. But not to help him promote his candidacy, like he has with Mitt and Rudy. It’s sad to see Fox flounder this way.
I think someone suggested yesterday that the other 2nd-tier candidates try and remind people of the “equal-time” portion of federal election law. Or does that only apply to after the primaries?
Hey, see the tag line.
With the FEC filing date of June 30th coming up, it's critical that his supporters try to bolster the campaign chest before that date. The results of this quarter's fundraising will have a significant impact on the campaign if they are strong enough.
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