Duncan Hunter Launches Presidential Bid

California Republican Begins Longshot White House Run In South Carolina

(AP)  Republican Representative Duncan Hunter, best known for his advocacy on behalf of the military, launched a longshot bid for the U.S. presidency Thursday in this early voting state.

"Let's begin this race for the American presidency and let's win," Hunter said.

The 14-term conservative from California, who has made no secret of his White House aspirations, set up a presidential exploratory committee last week for the 2008 election.

He initially announced his intentions in October, becoming the first Republican candidate to declare.

He joins an increasingly crowded Republican field of declared and likely candidates, including Senators John McCain and Sam Brownback, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Hunter, 58, has been a familiar face on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon. Until Democrats took control of Congress this month, he was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, the powerful panel that oversees military policy.

However, Hunter is little known outside of Congress and his district. He is a strong opponent of illegal immigration who wants fences extended along the U.S.-Mexico border and supports the prosecution of smugglers bringing illegal immigrants across the border.

Hunter won his U.S. House seat in 1980.

[j-whitman]

Forget it Duncan -- You took no action on Fraud Waste & Abuse when I gave you the evidence in 1999.... You're just another Flag Waving Do Nothing Republican.

[mt5937]

...a professional politician is just what we need. NOT.

...at least he appears to be on the right side of the fence.

[denniswu-2009]

Wow, a man with a back bone and a plan. What a concept. This is one good guy who really does look out for 'the people'. Glad to live in his district and hope everybody has a chance to see what a great man he is.

[dallison7]

He does have a winning smile though.
Posted by shingles1 at 02:56 PM : Jan 25, 2007


One of those 'Tom Delay' smiles.

[dallison7]

Longshot is right. This guy can't beat any of the other guys who can't beat whoever the Democratic nominee is.

[shingles1]

He does have a winning smile though.

[macusweil]

who cares?
Posted by bluestardad at 02:08 PM : Jan 25, 2007

Yap, B*F*D!!

This is the guy who fed our tax $$ to the ever hungry industrial complex while our soldier were sent to battle with Vietnam era body armor.

For shame!!

Main Entry: neo.con (ser.va.tive)
Pronunciation: 'nE-O-k&n
Function: noun or adjective
1 a : of or relating to a person or strategy of pretending to follow tradition

[shingles1]

I think its just an excuse for him to raise some potential defense fund ca$h money since he's up to his eyeballs in Cunningham/Wilkes corruption.

[godofredo29]

The guy all young men under 18 owe the requirement that their vital information be sent off to the Selective Service Administration in Washington.

[bluestardad]

who cares?

[wadyaknow]

Oh Goody! Just what we need! Another shoot-em-up, *** the poor, creationist, Terri Schiavo-saving, marriage protectionist!