GraniteGrok

John Hawkins of Right Wing News is moderating the call (at least starting it off) and started with the roll of who was on the call.  I should get a techno-whatis so I could record the call - just an adapter so I could push the call not only into my headset and into the new Edirol DVR the 'Grok bought (btw, very nice - I put a 1GB SD card into it for a LOT of talk time, stereo mics [ was built for musicians not bloggers] - really nice quality recordings too!.  With an USB reader to take the SD, a nice tool to have...

Playing phone tag - John got off to call Duncan, and Duncan got on, and then John got back on.  The problem is that Duncan Hunter was just joining from a floor vote.

Note: the following is raw text - spelling, typos, et al are present...will be fixing over the next little while.....

Overall impression - seems to want to engage the bloggers (actually, this was the first call where the bloggers were kind of shy!!  Imagine that!  Shy bloggers!  Almost a silent version of 'after you, we're being polite!" kind of deal going on).

I think it through Rep. Hunter a tad off at first, but I have to give him credit, he kept on asking for more questions.  First time I've EVER had the chance to ask multiple questions. AND I believe he wants to be engaged - he truly wanted to make sure everyone had their chance.  Next time, I'll have a whole slew of questions and won't be shy to ask.  Hey, if he's willing, I'll start talking more!

Opening statement:

Just finishing up a vote on the floor to follow up the Dubai Port problem (where a foreign based company had control over our marine ports) - Foreign investment Act.  Wanted the SecDef to trigger an investigation - Senate took it out and then the House passed the bill without the investigation.

Was in NH, did some media events and parades, spending on Iowa, then to CA.  He son is running for Congress, but was called back to Iraq by the Marines (he is a Captain) so they are doing a fundraiser for him in his absence. 

Border enforcement front - great expression of the American will to kill that bill.  He is restarting getting the already authorized (last year) fence built.

Skip from GraniteGrok - Me! -What do you think about the FairTax and its ability to replace our cumbersome IRS code?

He is a sponsor of the bill!  It gets rid of the bureacrcy and the time spent filling out forms.  Get rid of the $250 billion overhead that is now required to be compliant.  It also has the side effect of  leveling the field for US exports here (as we pay double, taxes here and most countries have 15-20% VAT tax on our stuff hitting their shores.  And then their manufacturers get their taxes rebated).

What is the chance for that it will pass? 

Slim or none due to the Dems.  None of them have been talking about this.

Erica from Human Events - What are your thoughts on success of the surge and why does the MSM calling it a failure?

There are some folks that are predisposed to already call it a failure - even on the first day (a single car bomb and a talking head was calling the surge a failure).  From Speaker Reid on down, this kind of talk is bad for our troops morale.  They don't think we can spread freedom around the world.  Brought up the example of socialism and Soviet Union  and that some thought that "it was inevitable". 

John from RWN - a question asked of him on Meet The New Press - What your stance on the POW naming / reclassification issue?

Talked about the ramifications on length and pay and the like.  [I pitched in to further explain the diffence between POW/MIA and , being a co-host, much obliged to John for bringing it up as he promised].  Duncan went on to talk about the Geneva and the responsibilities of countries that are signatories.  He believes that it is needed.

[note: the actual question asked during Meet The New Press is below:

As President Mr. Duncan Hunter will also be Commander in Chief...Today if an American Serviceman/woman is captured they are known as "Missing-Captured"..which is the designation the DOD and Pentagon have changed from POW/MIA, a term all Americans understand and the term used under the Geneva Convention..shouldn't our Service personnel have the right to be classified as the Convention ask to guarantee them all help and protection possible? 

-Skip] 

Duncan was a little unsure of the specifics but assured the bloggers and John Hawkins that he would find the right people to get the right answers and get back to us. 

Dan Spencer from RedState - What should we do about Iran and its meddling everywhere?

Iran is marching to assembling a nuclear device.  They are being helped by Russia and CHina who want their money.  The Sancations are not changing teir behaviour....mention the tunneling near the centrifuge areas.  We have to stop them.  His recommendation is that we have a policy that stops them before they go to the cliff.  Nations can move very quickly, faster than we realize.  We have to stop them (not getting into details).

Kathy (missed her organization) -Hillary was speaking about Iraq - there is no military solution to the situation.  Comment?

That is her position and she is consistent. She doesn't have the ability to stop the war, only leave the battlefield.  Look at Britain - the jihadists are waging war there.

When you give people self-determination, sometimes actions are delayed and inept.  It takes a while.  There are political deals that the Iraqis have to make.  We have to stand up a military that protect the weak political politicians.  They need 129 battalions about 3-4 month rotations in full military action - logictics, leadership, and the like.  Once that is done, then we can leave.

The politics will take years to fully develop.

Dan Spencer - Red State -What is your assessment of your campaign right now?  

Thinks it is going well, has a compact campaign.  Lots of activities.  Trying to resonate with folks who don't know Duncan Hunter, as he is starting with a low

Skip from GraniteGrok - What was the effect on the Republican leadership of the results of last months bill (the shoot down of the amnesty bill)?

The millions of communications have had a huge effect.  Usually politicians pay attention to as little as 25 communications (letters, calls, faxes, emails).  Despite their protestations, they appreciate  hearing about it [Me thinking to myself - calling Trent Lott or Lindsay Graham anyone??].  

He believes that the leadership was afraid of the bill in the first place and that the House was relieved that it didn't come over.  He believes that some Senators wished  that it had never come up [Me - amen to that!]