Posted on 01/23/2008 6:20:43 PM PST by jdm
This presidential cycle has seen a series of odd endorsements, such as Pat Robertson's support for Rudy Giuliani or Sam Brownback's endorsement of John McCain. Today brought another, this one from conservative stalwart Duncan Hunter, who recently withdrew from the race. Hunter endorsed Mike Huckabee, who has taken considerable criticism from conservatives on immigration and fiscal policy:
California Rep. Duncan Hunter, a former presidential candidate, announced Wednesday he is endorsing Mike Huckabee's White House bid.“I got to know Governor Huckabee well on the campaign trail,” Huckabee said in a statement. “Of the remaining candidates I feel that he is strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America’s industrial base.
"Along with these issues of national security, border enforcement and protecting the U.S. industrial base, I see another quality of Mike Huckabee’s candidacy that compels my endorsement," he added. "Mike Huckabee is a man of outstanding character and integrity. I saw that character over the last year of campaigning and was greatly impressed. The other Republican candidates have many strengths and I wish them all well."
I don't find this anywhere near as shocking as other Republicans, although I admit to being surprised when I first heard it. Hunter's biggest issues in the race were immigration and trade, and he took a more protectionist tack on the latter. In that sense, Hunter's instincts are closer to Huckabee than any of the other candidates, who tend towards the free-market policies that typify Republicans.
On immigration, Huckabee would seem to be the second-oddest partner for Hunter apart from John McCain. Huckabee has tried to put out a tough line on immigration with only moderate success in convincing the base. Obviously, Huckabee hopes this has to help, and it might, at least on immigration and border security issues. However, Huckabee's populism won't get a better reception just because Hunter endorsed him.
This isn't the strangest endorsement of this cycle, but it is a little odd, and I wonder why Hunter didn't take his gracious words to their logical conclusion and just skip choosing a single candidate altogether.
I would have to say Thompson. He had a big advantage going in. He ran his "pre-election" brilliantly. After that it was all down hill. Hunter was simply never able to light the match.
Bingo! But most Republican voters are poor FisCons and explains why the party is losing its traction and its limited government compass -- a compass that always looked more fancy then it was functional, anyway.
Tancredo, Hunter and Thompson out.
Whats left is Slim Pickins
To bad Ron Paul is a blame America firster.
I want someone who is Prior Military, against nafta, ProLife, Pro2ndAmen, antiIllegals.
Who fits that bill?
ping
No need to wait, IMO. Ed Morrissey has it about right when he refers to their protectionist tendencies.
I'd put matters this way:
The Dunk and the Huck are kindred souls in that they both give the impression of being closer to the anti-capitalist views of Lou Dobbs and John Edwards than to the free-market views of Ronald Reagan and Milton Friedman. This heresy sets them apart from the Reaganite mainstream of the GOP. So they end their campaigns as soulmates.
(Too bad that so many folks have invested so emotionally in the Dunk. But they'll eventually get over Dunk's betrayal. Time heals most wounds!)
IMHO, I think true conservatives are going to become ‘fossils’ in the Political Arena.
I truly don’t know to think right now...
I've been somewhat distant from the political world the last few years (until very recently..again) and even I noticed the Fred Thompson logos showing up on message boards across the interwebz. As for Duncan, Duncan WHO? Fred came in with a lot of hype, a lot of hope, and screwed it all up. Duncan came in (I don't even know when) with seemingly little fanfare outside of the rarified air of FR and... has left the same way. Clearly, Fred wins.
Ron Paul!
Which was odd, because Romney hasn’t run that company for 10 years, and could do nothing about it. Duncan thought he should trash his old company.
Romney isn’t a protectionist.
Spot on Dog.
You nailed it.
“I want someone who is Prior Military, against nafta, ProLife, Pro2ndAmen, antiIllegals.”
DING DING You just nailed what I wanted in a President, along with anti-CAFTA and possessed a real swinging set.
That candidate is no longer running, sadly.
The Huckster is my least fav.
Go figure.
Ron Paul was against NAFTA and CAFTA because it did not open free trade enough. He wants absolute free trade with EVERYONE.
I used to think he stood with Hunter on trade due to his votes, but his actual trade stances are far from Hunter’s.
Also, Ron Paul, while being in the Navy, never truly fought in a war. He was a doctor. My great-uncle was a POW in WWII who went down with other POW’s while being transported on a Japanese naval vessel. He was a member of the military, but he never actually fought, as he was a Chaplain.
I think what the previous guy whom you quoted was referring to was someone who has fought and been in the bunker. Then again, I could be wrong.
Mega dittos to that.
To bad Ron Paul is a blame America firster.
Mega dittos to that.
So hey Ron, take a clue from that other Ron, yeah the Greatest President of my lifetime, and tell the Iranians you are going to deliver them to their virgins soooon. Hopefully they will get rid of their mullahs, and if not, we will....either way a win win sit.
I don't think that's going to happen.
It's coming down to Mitt, McCain, Huckabee and Julie. I've ruled out the Huckster and Julie. I guess McCain still has a shot at my vote but I'm leaning pretty strong towards Mitt.
So it looks like Romney will get my vote because he's the one I can't stand the least. Hooray for Mitt!!
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