Breaking: Hunter Campign To Have A Major Announcement UPDATES

~Snooper~

HT to CQ via mm.com.

Michelle Malkin forwards a notice from the Duncan Hunter campaign that they plan a "major announcement" later this afternoon, likely when I'll be in motion and unable to follow it. With almost no traction in any of the national or state polls, Hunter will likely announce his withdrawal from the presidential race:

Presidential Candidate and California Congressman Duncan Hunter will be making a major announcement today at 2:00 p.m. (EST), regarding the future of his Presidential bid. All media are encouraged to attend or contact Bob Bevill, National Media Coordinator, to arrange alternate interviews.

If this is true, it will be a shame, although not unexpected. Congressmen running for President usually do so for the publicity rather than any real hope of actually winning a nomination. People talk about how difficult it is to get elected President from the Senate, but I'm unaware of anyone who did it directly from the House (I assume CapQ readers will correct me in the comments with any examples). [...] read the rest

This is merely speculation but what else could it be? If Duncan Hunter bows out, I hope he throws in with Fred Thompson.

Memeorandum has the buzzings

[UPDATES]

He ain't dropping out! He is PISSED off at being excluded from the debates...GOOD FOR HIM!!

Live Blogging GOP Debate

On Duncan Hunter

On Duncan Hunter

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 9:45 PM

Duncan Hunter came out on top tonight in the debates as far as I am concerned.

He hit the Scooter Libby issue out of the ballpark and he hit the ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION issue out of the ballpark and he hit the Islamic Retards out of the ballpark.

DUNCAN IS THE MAN, folks.

From the debates from bloggers:

Right Wing News

Live Blogging The Debate

– I’m going to be “sort of” living blogging the debate. I say “sort of,” because if the GOP debate is as dull as the Democrat debate, there aren’t going to be that many comments made that really catch my ear. But, I will be watching and every so often, I’ll chime in with something. Feel free to do the same in the comments section.

I’m liveblogging the debate which is, so far, better than I expected….

PS: I’m going to do my best to avoid commenting on what Duncan Hunter says, for obvious reasons, but forgive me if I can’t help myself and say something anyway.

– 8:05: McCain smacks Reid in his first question. Nice!

– 8:09: Mitt sounded very good, very professional. He had an outstanding answer to the question about Iraq.

– 8:12: Ok, so, Huckabee, if we need hundreds of thousands of troops — well, we don’t have them. So, what now, Huckabee? Not a great answer.

– 8:13: I can tell already that there are going to be a lot of questions put out that invite the candidates to criticize Bush.

– 8:16: Boy, Tom Tancredo really had trouble with that question about Israel and Iran. Understandable, but still…

– 8:20 Mitt: “Osama Bin Laden will pay and he will die!” I like it!

– 8:21: Honestly, this is a lot more interesting than the Democratic debates. People are actually talking about ideas instead of dodging everything.

– 8:22: McCain will follow Bin Laden to the “Gates of Hell.” That’s a good line.

– 8:23: McCain and Huckabee had funny lines at least on Arnold.

– 8:26: Tanc seems a little nervous and off his game.

– 8:29: Ooooh….Rudy just came across as being indifferent to whether Roe v. Wade is overturned. Not helpful for him.

– 8:31: Mitt went from polished to waffling like John Kerry when he was asked about abortion.

– 8:33: Boy, Rudy stinks on abortion, too. Ooof…

– 8:36: Ron Paul would have been a better fit foreign policy wise in the Democratic debate.

– 8:38: Mitt gave a great answer on the church question. Again, very polished.

– 8:40: I am not the biggest Mike Huckabee fan, but I have to give him credit for being more charismatic than I thought he was.

– 8:42: I wasn’t involved in debate prep, but I think Duncan has an interesting strategy. He side-steps these little foo-foo questions they’ve been asking the 2nd tier guys and tells people about the more important parts of his platform. It’s a little bit of a different strategy, but so far, in my biased opinion, I think it has worked for him.

– 8:44: Did Tanc ever prep for this debate? Yeesh, I love Tanc, but, man, he has really had a tough time…

– 8:45: Tommy Thompson just made a nice pitch for himself.

– 8:47: Sam Brownback is….he just doesn’t quite have the knack.

– 8:49: Now everybody is going way off track. I think that’s because the questions are a little fluffy.

– 8:51: Man, Huckabee is really helping himself, I think. He is showing that unlike our currrent President, he can express himself.

– 8:53: I can hardly believe I am saying this, but MSNBC actually asked tougher questions to the Democrats than they have to the Republicans so far.

– 8:54: Ok, come on, give Duncan a chance to bury McCain on illegal immigration! Awww…I was hoping that Duncan would sidestep global warming and bury McCain. Didn’t happen.

– 9:00: McCain and Rudy are the only candidates for embryonic stem cell research.

– 9:02: I really think they should get into immigration a little heavier in the last 30 minutes. It’s a huge issue and they really haven’t touched it.

– 9:10: Again, I am biased but Duncan’s answer about killing Zarqawi and improving the border rocked hard! Nice job, Dunc!

– 9:12: Believe it or not, Drudge is running a debate poll. Go vote! — By, the way, first place is currently Tommy Thompson at 28% (Think there are people who haven’t seen the debate and are confusing him with Fred?).

– 9:17: Tommy Thompson said “several thousand” troops were injured in Iraq. He was very low. They’ll be ragging on him tomorrow for that. Rudy nailed his “gotcha” question on the difference between Shia and Sunny Muslims.

– 9:21: A national ID card only for aliens….uh, doesn’t that defeat the point, Mitt and Rudy? So, if they DON’T HAVE THE CARD, they’re Americans? Uh…

– 9:23: Ron Paul is really determined to capture the anti-war vote.

– 9:25: Matthews is inviting everyone to beat up on the Clintons. Very interesting…

– 9:26: I was very strongly in favor of what Congress did in the Schiavo case and still am, so I was very pleased to hear Duncan say that he supported trying to save Schiavo.

– 9:32: Debate Summary: (I am going to leave Duncan out of this since I am working for him.)

Winners: 1) Mike Huckabee 1) Mitt Romney — Both were very charismatic

Losers: 1) Tom Tancredo (Seemed unprepared) 2) (Late addition) Rudy, because he came across as being to the left of everyone but Ron Paul and for a guy who is supposed to be exceptionally personable, he didn’t seem all that charming.

Not Sure: Ron Paul isn’t going to appeal to 95% of the base, but he stands alone as an anti-war Republican and he will appeal to the relatively small contingent of Republicans who support that position. So, he may be sort of like Ralph Nader: no, he can’t win, but he may have gained the support of a certain niche group that will stick with him long-term.

Overall, I thought it was a much more substance filled and interesting debate than the one the Democrats had last week. Also, I have to give MSNBC credit — they did a good job overall and if anything, they may have been too soft on the candidates.

I consult for the Duncan Hunter campaign through TCV Media.

Matt Lewis

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 It’s Show Time! Posted by: Matt Lewis at 6:56 PM

8:05 - Pardon Libby? I give Rudy props for his answer. He stood out, here. “This is excessive punishment.” And I LOVE how he is not allowing Wolfie to shut him up. He’s about to say, “I paid for this microphone!”

8:05 - Hunter just hit the Scooter Libby question out of the ballpark.

8:04 - Huckabee’s airplane security analogy is a good one.

7:47 - Wolfie just asked “The Mormon Question.”

7:43 - GREAT ANSWER. Huckabee hits it out of the ballpark for me (and I’m guessing a lot of Americans) with: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” I also like his nuanced answer about the amount of time creation may have took.

7:42 - That’s right, Romney’s conversion to Pro-Life happened at the age of, what, 50?

7:41 - Ok, Rudy. I’ve been favorable to you tonight. But now that you’ve brought it up — you do not hate abortion.

7:40 - Is that lightning — or is Rudy being struck down for criticizing a priest?

7:39 - Tommy Thompson thinks anyone named Thompson is good (for this reason, I’m a huge Huey Lewis fan…)

7:38 - RudyMcRomneySon? Gilmore makes the point that we don’t know how conservative Fred Thompson is …

7:35 -McCain survived the Immigration discussion. Frankly, I’m surprised Romney and Rudy didn’t take some better shots at him. … What’s with McCain talking about Native American language?

7:25 - Here comes the Immigration issue. I’m taking a break to soak it all in …

7:24 - Tancredo makes a good point about losing the English language. I think that will play pretty well among base voters.

7:23 - Ok, the sounds in the background is lighting in Manchesters …

7:19 - Rudy mentions Ft. Dix — and JFK Airport. Says this war is not a bumper sticker. He earns the 2nd round of applause.

7:18 - I know I’m in the minority here, but boy could I go for a wacky Chris Matthews question, right now …

7:16 - Tancredo is hurrying. Slow down, dude.

7:15 - Did Huckabee just say today is the birthday of Ronald Reagan??? Did I hear him wrong, or is it February, already?

7:14 - So Duncan Hunter was like the only guy in Congress who read the Iraq Intelligence Report …

7:13 - Ok, I’m voting Tommy Thompson off the debate. He’s not merely a 3rd tier candidate — but worse — he’s not entertaining, either …

7:11 - McCain just made a good point that he didn’t say it was “President Clinton’s War” in Bosnia. He gets the first applause of the night.

7:09 - Gilmore has a HUGE chip on his shoulder. Wolf just did him a favor, in the question, by mentioning his background — which is extensive.

7:08 - McCain didn’t read the classified Iraq report before voting for the war, but we’ve always known that. Was that a “gotcha” question? If so, it didn’t work. Apparently Brownback didn’t, either. At least, he won’t answer the question.

7:07 - Man is Rudy good on the issue of terror. If this debate is about terror, he wins. Love the aphorisms. BTW, what’s up with that random buzz sound (or is it just me)?

7:05 - Mitt takes on Harry Reid. Good move. But Wolfie is disputing whether or not Romney answered the question (clearly Wolf is trying to crack the whip early). Romney calls it, “an unreasonable hypothetical.”

7:04 - Huckabee is funny … AGAIN!

7:03 - I’m John McCain … BUZZ

7:03 - I’m Matt Lewis and I’m with Townhall.com.

7:00 - Let’s see how Wolf Blitzer measures up to Chris Matthews … Ok. They’re going to have “local” NH journalists asking questions.

6:58 - Ed Rollins is on Lou Dobbs talking about how Thompson may not have the “fire in the belly” for the race. Someone just compared Thompson’s strategy (of staying out of the race), to Roger Clements.

6:56 PM - The debate is about to start. Post your comments — as we go — below …

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

The Debate: Part II

Posted by: Matt Lewis at 8:13 PM

8:47 - Tancredo says the biggest mistake of Bush is that he ran as a conservative and governed as a liberal. 8:46 - Romney mentions “Ronald Reagan.” I take a shot. 8:42: “Muchas Gracias,” says McCain to Tancredo. You gotta give it to McCain, he’s got a great sense of humor. I think he’s scoring some points on being compassionate toward immigrants. 8:41 - Tancredo is right, by the way, that bilingual countries don’t work. 8:39 - Romney just got the “flip-flopping” question. Specifically, why does he have ads in Spanish, if he wants English to be the national language. Frankly, I agree with Mitt. I don’t see the two things as being inconsistent. 8:38 - Brownback will support the nominee of the GOP — even if it’s Rudy. 8:36 - Ron Paul has truly become an anti-war Republican. 8:31 - On conservatives who disagree with Romneycare, Mitt answers: “Well, I want to talk to the people, not just those conservatives who are concerned …” 8:30 - Why is Tommy Thompson yelling at me? 8:29 - Oooh. A question from a blogger. 8:26 - “It’s your health, you should own your health insurance” - Rudy. 8:21 - ***IDEA OF THE DAY: Divided Presidency: Rudy runs the war and Huckabee runs the social issues. Any takers? 8:20 - Rudy gets up and walks even closer. He’s doing very well today — and I think this format is good for him, too. 8:19 - Wow, someone asks a question with a conservative worldview. Sadly, it’s directed to Ron Paul. 8:18 - This format is much better for McCain. He’s the first to stand up. He’s better out from behind a podium. 8:17 - Brownback wants to divide up Iraq into 3 states. Isn’t that Joe Biden’s plan? 8:15 - How much do you want to bet one of these guys gets up off the red chair, walks over, and consoles one of these questioners? 8:14 - This format is a bit more touchy-feely. I’m having flashbacks to the Bill Clinton vs. George H.W. Bush debate where Clinton says, “I feel your pain.” 8:13 - Ok, the stage is a little odd looking. It’s likely Republican voters who get to ask the questions …

Townhall Comments section is down:

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

AP ‘Startled’ By Bush Criticism in Debate

Posted by: Mary Katharine Ham at 12:15 AM

Despite the fact that it has happened at every debate so far, that the base’s displeasure with the immigration bill is well-publicized, and that Bush’s “don’t want to do what’s right for America” swipe at critics prompted an even better-publicized clobber of a column from Peggy Noonan, which all of punditry pretty much acknowledged was an accurate reflection of the base’s feelings about Bush. And yet, totally surprising to the AP that men courting the aforementioned base would reflect such feelings. Puzzle and puzzle ’til your puzzler is sore, guys. Ace commends CNN for finding “likely Republican” voters that accurately reflect his feelings: Off to a good start — a woman who lost her husband brother to the war wants to know how to get us out of Iraq. I’m so surprised CNN found this questioner! Why, you’d think liberals had some sort of premeditated strategy to put forward victims to push their policies or something! More! Environmentalism, prescription drug subsidies, and now, from the affiliate’s handpicked (liberal) blogger, a question as to whether or not to install a Canadian style single-payer national health care system! Wow! These “likely Republican voters” sure are reflecting my concerns and interests! And, what was with the CNN amateur hour? They had mike problems in the Democratic debate and somehow didn’t get them worked out in the intervening two days? Giuliani’s mike actually cut off a part of one of his answers. The producers were mighty clumsy with the cameras when Wolf was asking his “down-the-line” questions, panning from candidate to candidate too quickly and missing half of each candidate’s answer before panning violently back to the speaker. I know these events are hard to put together, but they can be put on well. That’s kinda CNN’s job. My favorite totally unbiased question came from Wolf and was something like, “You know, Arnold has really gained a lot of independent voters and broadened his base in California by moving farther and farther left. Isn’t that something you guys should probably try to emulate?” I thought the appropriate answer to that would have been, “I don’t know. What do you think we should do, Wolf? It’s a mystery to us.

Hunter

Duncan Hunter
Duncan Hunter
Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:12 PM

Duncan Hunter

Abortion/Life: I would amend the U.S. Constitution and provide blanket protection to all unborn children from the moment of conception by prohibiting any state or federal law that denies the personhood of the unborn.ohibit and criminalize efforts at reproductive cloning. (AMEN!) + + +

Budget/Economy: I support a balanced federal budget, with additional revenue provided by economic growth, not increased taxes. Further, I support limiting growth in non-defense areas. (AMEN!) + + +

Constitutional Issues: I believe the current decisional law on the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment is inconsistent and flawed. For example, the recent decisions on the Ten Commandment display, where the Supreme Court ruled that in Texas it is appropriate to have a Ten Commandments monument on the courthouse grounds, but in Kentucky the same display violates the Establishment Clause. The Founding Fathers developed these clauses to guarantee the right of all citizens to worship and to protect the church from the state, not to strip religion from the everyday lives of Americans. (AMEN!) + + +

I am deeply concerned with the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision greatly broadening local government’s use of eminent domain in Kelo vs. New London and believe it is important that Congress protect the property rights of private landowners and curb the government from excessive regulatory takings. It is for this reason that I voted in favor of expressing the grave disapproval of the House of Representatives regarding the majority opinion in the Kelo case. (AMEN!) + + +

I firmly believe that marriage is one of the most important social institutions we have and that it is central to promoting family values and raising children in a healthy environment. It is for this reason that I cosponsored and voted in favor of H.J. Res. 88 (Musgrave-CO), which proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist solely of the union of a man and a woman. I firmly believe that children need the unique influence offered by both a father and a mother. (AMEN!) + + +

I strongly believe Congress needs to remain actively involved in ensuring parents’ rights are protected and I have significant concerns with recent judicial rulings recognizing “de-facto” or “psychological” parents, individuals who assist in raising a child. These types of decisions undermine parental authority, allowing any adult with an association with the child to make parental claims. (AMEN!) + + +

Judicial Appointments: I support people with good judgment, proven values, a belief in God, and a heart for the least of us, including the unborn. I believe it is important that those sitting on the bench understand that they have a responsibility to strictly interpret our nation’s laws and not legislate from the bench with their own political or social agenda. (AMEN!) + + +

Values Issues: In the past, Congress has considered legislation that would allow the federal government to assist local authorities in the investigation and prosecution of crimes motivated by a person’s race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or religion. I have always voted against this type of legislation because I firmly believe that the use of violence against any innocent person is wrong, regardless of that individual’s race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation. (AMEN!) + + +

I voted in favor of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005, which increases the penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters who transmit obscene, indecent, and profane material on public airwaves. (AMEN!) + + +

I also have concerns with the questionable material our children continue to have through the Internet and other entertainment products. I believe those distributing harmful material to young people should be held responsible. (AMEN!) + + +

I have significant concerns with federal funding provided to the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA)… (AMEN!) + + +

Education: I believe we can educate students more effectively by returning school curriculum prerogatives to the states, local communities and, most importantly, to the family. (AMEN!) + + +

I support taking the actions necessary to strengthen our public educational system and school vouchers are a great opportunity to provide students and their families with additional educational choices. (AMEN!) + + +

Taking into consideration that approximately 2 million children are taught at home, it is important that we make every effort to ensure these students have the same access and opportunities to federal benefits, such as financial aid, as those who attend public school. (AMEN!) + + +

Families and Taxes: The current tax code unfairly imposes a penalty on married couples and I believe legislative action is needed immediately. In 2001, Congress passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) to, among other things, provide marriage tax penalty relief to America’s working married couples. (AMEN!) + + +

I firmly support reform of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and believe it is the most pressing individual income tax issue facing Americans today. (AMEN!) + + +

I believe our current tax code is full of antiquated policies that were installed for a specific reason and for a specific time, but never removed. (AMEN!) + + +

The current tax code is unnecessarily confusing and complicated, causing taxpayers to spend more than six billion hours every year on paperwork and other bureaucratic requirements. (AMEN!) + + +

Foreign Policy: I believe in peace through strength. I believe in a policy that supports U.S. interests by spreading freedom within the limits of U.S. capability. I also believe in ending the one-way street on trade. (AMEN!) + + +

The greatest protection of human rights in this decade has been the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Religious freedom is part and parcel of any free society the U.S. stands up. (AMEN!) + + +

As House Armed Services Chairman, I recognize Israel as America’s most important ally in the Middle East region. As a result, I strongly support Israel’s right to exist and efforts to defend itself and I have consistently voted in favor of providing federal funding for Israel’s defense systems, including missile defense. (AMEN!) + + +

I also strongly support U.S. efforts to establish free societies in Iraq and Afghanistan. (AMEN!) + + +

International Law & Institutions: I would increase the burden-sharing by member nations other than the U.S. In addition, I voted in favor of H.R. 2745 (Hyde-IL), the Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005, implementing significant reforms that will create a more accountable and focused United Nations. (AMEN!) + + +

Treaties that infringe on basic U.S. sovereignty should be rejected while international treaties that reign in tyrants may be of value. (AMEN!) + + +

I support President Bush’s decision and firmly believe that foreign non-governmental agencies should not receive population aid from the U.S. for the purpose of advocating abortion as an option for family planning. (AMEN!) + + +

I have also supported the Bush Administration’s decision to withhold funding from the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) as a result of their Chinese family planning program. (AMEN!) + + +

Empowering the Poor: An over-taxing government is the biggest contributor to creating poverty.

Further, America’s one-way-street trade relationship with China and other nations has reduced manufacturing jobs severely in the U.S. I would change the one-way-street into a two-way-street by putting the same charges on foreign goods that they put on ours.Finally, my basic philosophy is to teach and train and inspire rather than simply give government “hand outs.” (AMEN!) + + +