Duncan Hunter Endorses Huckabee

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Mike Huckabee

(AP Photo/L.M. Otero)

When they were both campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination, there seemed to be genuine goodwill between rivals Duncan Hunter and Mike Huckabee. Now Hunter, who ended his campaign for the Republican nomination Jan. 19th, has thrown his weight behind Huckabee's presidential bid.

"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," Hunter said in a statement released this afternoon.

"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," Hunter continued. "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. My personal choice is Mike Huckabee."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by nrobyar January 24, 2008 12:05 AM EST: Please take heed. Duncan has been on the campaign trail with these candidates and he KNOWS them in a way we don''t. Those who don''t believe Mike Huckabee''s character and itegrity are sincere, think again. This man is the ONLY GOP who can beat Hillary. Can you see John McCain debating Hillary? He is a good man, but wrong for this task. Forget Mitt Romney. I would be tempted to vote Democratic if he is the GOP candidate.; Reply to this comment


by lobster1111 January 23, 2008 9:21 PM EST: I sincerely hope Mike Huckabee can live up to such a great endorsement concerning his character and integrity.; Reply to this comment


by lobster1111 January 23, 2008 9:19 PM EST: I sincerely hope Mike Huckabee can live up to such a great endorsement concerning his character and integrity.; Reply to this comment


by ivote-2009 January 23, 2008 9:18 PM EST: Mike Huckabee has the most executive experience of any candidate running. He was re-elected Governor of Arkansas until his term limits expired. He was their Lt. Governor prior to that. He was voted one of the Best Five Governors in America by Time Magazine. He is the best communicator since Ronald Reagan. Mike Huckabee is for real and he is authentic!

US Rep John Linder who worked on the Ronald Reagan campaign gives a great comparison between the Ronald Reagan and Mike Huckabee campaign trails.
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=10019&SectionID=17&SubSectionID=116&S=1; Reply to this comment


by allenfuller-2009 January 23, 2008 9:06 PM EST: This is more proof that the conservative punditocracy, and their well-meaning followers who have not been paying attention for themselves, have been very wrong on Huckabee.

The conventional wisdom is now firmly entrenched. Huckabee is a "liberal" or even a "socialist." People I trust (or used to trust) have latched onto this and have ceased to think further about it.

I hope Duncan Hunter''s endorsement will jolt people into taking a second look at Huckabee with an OPEN MIND.

Start with independent sources, not the usual opinionated sources you may consult. For example, OnTheIssues.org, which, although it doesn''t make Huckabee look good on every point, it places Huckabee SQUARELY in the conservative camp. This is just based on his record and statements on the issues, not on hearsay and attacks.

If we can prove he''s conservative many will still say "So what? I still don''t see why I should support him over any other."

Here are some great reasons to support Huckabee:
- He is inspiring and positive
- He has BOLD ideas-- not just more of the same
- He is a great communicator
- He reaches the Reagan Democrats
- He can expand the Party
- He has good leadership skills
- He knows how to get people to work together on a common solution

These are all personal qualities which are hard to come by. If we don''t nominate Huckabee, we will be missing a once-in-20-years chance.; Reply to this comment