When Duncan Hunter threw his hat in the ring for Republican nominee, I thought, "Hmmm. I wonder what this guy’s like?" Having seen him occasionally on the various talking heads shows, I recalled being generally favorable towards what he said and how he presented himself. I knew he was strong on defense and in my camp on the border issue (close it- NOW!). Other than that, I really didn’t know much about him- I figured he’d make his way to NH before long and I would assess him then.
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In the meantime, I came across a freewheeling interview that John Hawkins at RightWingNews conducted with Mr. Hunter that certainly helps to fill in some of the blanks. One observation I had upon reading the transcript of the phone interview was that Hunter appears quick on his feet and knowledgeable in a wide array of topics. In the age of the "new media", all candidates, if they want to be successful, are going to have to rely first and foremost upon themselves to articulate and deliver a clear and coherent message.
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I found myself really grooving to Hunter’s positions on the issues Hawkins tossed his way. While Mitt Romney continues to fumble in his attempts at being a credible candidate of the right, Duncan Hunter might actually be the "real deal"…
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On illegal immigration and a border fence:
I think in the US the border fence in the US is no longer an immigration issue primarily; it’s a security issue. You have to know who’s coming into this country and what they’re bringing with them.
On the economy:
Well, first, …I’m a supporter of supply side economics and I think the general proposition that if you leave a few bucks in the pockets of American businesses rather than take it for taxes, …(then) the tax base is actually increased and revenue is enhanced. I believe that’s a valid proposition and I support that and that’s been reflected in my voting record for tax cuts. So I think that’s the way you supply – you increase the revenues into the federal government and you do that by encouraging growth..Now there’s one thing that I think is very, very important right now, where I diverge, I think, some from the Club For Growth…I’m a Ronald Reagan trader…let me quote you Ronald Reagan on trade. He said, "To make the international trading system work all must abide by the rules." He further said, "When governments assist their exporters in ways that violate international laws, then the playing field is no longer level and there’s no longer free trade."
Yes-he advocates toughness with China. He’s also right on the life issue:
John Hawkins: Would you like to see Roe v. Wade overturned?.Duncan Hunter: Yes. You know, I’m the author of the personhood-at-conception bill which right now has over 100 co-sponsors …that would define personhood as moment of conception, so, it would allow us to have a reversal of the effects of Roe v. Wade without a constitutional amendment.
He opposes partial birth abortion. Favors school vouchers. Favors drilling in ANWR He regularly votes to de-fund the National Endowment for the Arts. He is pro military (his son just finished his second tour in Iraq as a Marine).
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For this conservative blogger, when I look at the positions taken by Mr. Hunter, I find myself in almost full agreement. I’m putting him on my list of "favorable" candidates at this time. The greatest factor yet to be determined is whether he has what it takes to be "electable". If my read on the Hawkins interview is correct, he just might be a formidable candidate. Stay tuned… Oh, and click HERE to read the whole interview- it’s well worth your time.
