Duncan Hunter to make an announcement; Update: He’s staying in, blasts media “knuckleheads”
Update 2:38pm Eastern. Rep. Hunter is staying in the race. He blasted “knucklehead, arrogant” TV execs at ABC and Fox for excluding him from the presidential debates this weekend.
Good on Rep. Hunter for sticking it out. As he noted, he picked up one presidential delegate in Wyoming. That’s one more than many of the prez candidates who were allowed to sit at the debate tables.
Here’s CNN’s brief dispatch on the announcement: “”So here’s my answer: I’m not going to quit. I’m staying in.”
***
Just in from the Hunter campaign. News coming at 2:00pm Eastern:
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2007
Contact: Bob Bevill, (978) 339-3198, (603) 913-1770
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.
DUNCAN HUNTER ANNOUNCEMENT
Radisson Hotel Lobby
700 Elm Street
Manchester, New Hampshire
2:00 p.m. (EST)
***
Rep. Hunter has been a stalwart advocate for strict immigration enforcement, border security, and a strong national defense. If he withdraws, which seems likely, his presence will be greatly missed by grass-roots conservatives. I’ve never been able to answer questions from readers about why his campaign never caught fire given his excellent credentials and expertise (compared to, say, Mike Huckabee’s). Politics is weird and inexplicable like that.
Question: Will Hunter throw his support to one of the other candidates? Which one?
***
Ed Morrissey pays tribute:
Hunter faced the same problem as anyone else running from the House: a small constituency. Hunter has never had to conduct a campaign outside of his Congressional district, and that makes a big difference when running for President. He couldn’t carry California, which isn’t as big of a handicap — for instance, no one thinks Mitt Romney will carry Massachusetts in a general election — but the lack of notoriety that comes from being one of 435 instead of 1 of 100 or one of 50 becomes a big burden to overcome.
I also have to mention that he is even more impressive in person than on television. He is warm, engaging, and sharp. Hunter needed no scripts at the CLC to chat with us over dinner about policy or electoral strategy. He has a personality and a sense of humor that gets shortchanged in the debate formats used in this cycle, and although it probably wouldn’t have made a lot of difference in his traction, it would have been nice to see more people get to know Hunter better.
If Hunter leaves, the rest of us should hope that a Republican winner will find room for Hunter in the next administration. He would make an excellent Secretary of Defense, or perhaps the head of Homeland Security, if he’s crazy enough to take it. This man still has plenty of service left to give our nation; let’s hope someone puts him to use.
***
Elsewhere on the campaign trail, Pajamas Media has video interviews with McCain and Giuliani.
See what others have said
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- AMERICAN NONSENSE » Is Duncan Hunter Dropping Out?-UPDATE: Hunter stays in Race and calls Media “Knuckleheads”
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If he gets out of the race it will be a loss for the party. The reality is it takes money to stay in race.
If he’s getting out of the race, I hope he’ll endorse Fred Thompson. Fred would be the only one left that believes in securing the borders and no amnesty.
He’ll either endorse Fred or Mitt.
Mitt because he’s the strongest contender and has a real chance.
He may influence Mitt’s pick for Fred as the VP.
I’d hate to see him go. He posesses nearly all the things I want in a candidate.
I’m really getting weary of “electability” being the main reason for nominating someone.
I am not thrilled; however, I will not be surprised if he withdraws.
He should throw his support behind Thompson.
The best man for the job if you ask me is leaving the race…
Sounds like a great opportunity for a follow up interview at Hot Air!
He’s been the invisible man – even while conservatives on this blog have discussed whether it’s worse to support Giuliani, or worse to support Romney.
He’s solid, and he’d be fine as VP or in a Cabinet post.
Good man, but never had a chance. If Fred finishes worse than 3rd in NH, I think he drops out as well, and will probably be pretty happy about it.
Hopefully he will back Thompson. That would at least send a strong signal to all concerned.
I wish I could figure that out too, Michelle. Politics can boggle the mind at times. Actually, it probably should boggle the mind most of the time.
I respect you a great deal Michelle, but you only covered Hunter or Tancredo upon their EXITING the presidential race. Like all GOPundits, you decry the lack of “real conservatives” in the campaign but willfully ignore 2 of them. Sorry but you are part of the problem.
Please say Mitt ….
I just hope Julie Annie is taking notes if this is an exit speech. Hillary too. Take them notes and learn how to bow out.
Dern Michelle, you are getting blamed for Hunter now. You have destroyed journalism as well.
Guess we will have to start calling you Darth Malkin.
Sometimes all you can do is shake your head.
But for a good set of mud and snow tires.
Mitt !!!!
What, we’re not blaming Bush anymore for the ills of the world?
I didn’t get the memo… This is not good. Somebody’s head is gonna roll.
pyhtboss is dead on. The media, including the right wing blogs, aren’t covering the actual conservatives. The latter should be pointing out why their views are superior. They’re not. In particular, Ms. Malkin STILL has no apologized for or retracted reprinting a false story about Thompson the day before the Iowa caucus.
What good does it do to mourn their loss while the RINOs lead the pack? Now is when we must all speak up to prevent Bush II.
As to Hunter, unless he backs Thompson or Paul he was always just another expedience-over-integrity politician.
I don’t think it’s that hard to explain. The CW is pounded into us that the next President has to be a governor, or at least a senator. You just can’t go from the house to the White House.
On top of that, I can’t recall off the top of my head, a single positive column or even comment by a conservative writer about Hunter. Most of the time he’s been treated as irrelevant, as opposed to Huckabee who, if nothing else, has benefited from both positive MSM press and the constant exposure in negative articles.
I’m sure there have been good things written about Hunter, but the fact that someone like me, who would look for them, can’t remember any is telling.
Thompson contends that he is not expecting to show well in NH and, rather, has focused his efforts on SC. So, I don’t really expect him to drop out, after a bad showing in NH. But, if his campaign doesn’t pick up soon, we may see it.
He stirred a lot of interest very early on. But, he dragged his feet in his testing the waters period and that lost the interest of a lot of people, including me. Of course, the whole Spencer Abraham thing didn’t sit well with me either.
Thompson may be conservative, but he doesn’t have a chance. He doesn’t even seem motivated. I’m not sure why he decided to run because he’s in low gear.
I’m gonna have to defend Michelle on this. She covered Hunter just the other day with a post about how he doesn’t complain and keeps on fighting. I know, because I’m another GOPundit that linked to her post and talked about it too. She also linked my post when I asked the question of why he wasn’t getting more support.
The candidates can’t just rely on pundits to build them up, they have to do things to get noticed themselves. Sadly it takes money, like Mitt has, or charisma in today’s politics.
The media build up folks, and the general public don’t even read blogs…they follow the MSM.
DanMe:
Please stop repeating MSM mantra about Thompson. Who cares how much energy he has? What does that matter? He doesn’t enjoy the B.S. of politics, he is motivated, and has said so, by the future of America and his grandchildren. That is honest and real.
he was on XM this morning complaining loud and long about Fox. Kucinich is going to sue Disney. Maybe Hunter is going to sue Fox.
BLAST! I was planning on voting for him in the Florida Primaries. GRRRR! I can’t think of another substitute that carries with him the (in my book) minimum requirements for a conservative candidate.
Whoever gets the GOP nod better seriously consider this fine man as a running mate if not but to strengthen the conservative base.
And spare me any RudyMcRomSonBee comments. I’m not yet sold on anyone else.
Michelle,
First let me say I have a great deal of respect for you and find myself agreeing with you more often than not.
Duncan Hunter is a fine man and would have been a great candidate. I agree with you on this.
I must ask if it is necessary in an article about Duncan Hunter leaving the race to take a potshot at a remaining candidate.
We are going to have a hard enough time in November beating the Obama juggernaut without tearing the Republican party to shreds before then.
The reason Hunter didn’t catch fire is he is not a polished speaker. He has the knowledge, experience and solid conservative values, but that’s not enough these days. You have to be able to “set em on fire”. Same reason Thompson is going down. Do I think this is a good thing? No I don’t because being a good speaker doesn’t qualify anybody for President. But, that’s what people go for and that’s how they’ll vote unless the “good speaker” makes a serious mistake.
I agree completely, Jay, and I do think Huckabee used his exposure and Hunter never did. Ultimately the responsibility for getting your message out lies with the candidate.
That said, though, Ann Coulter recently spent two whole columns trashing Mike Huckabee when she could have been pointing out that Hunter has Mike’s positives and more without the negatives.
I’m not bashing Ann, or Michelle or anyone. I’m just saying that the lack of attention paid to Hunter contributed a lot to his lack of votes.
I hope, if he is dropping out (seems likely) that he endorces Fred. Hunter might make a nice SecDef…
But he just redid his website!
#18 Trusting Foolishness
Michelle’s coverage has been Right on.
Apologies??? The last time I looked, this blog was Michelle Malkin, not Udall whatever.
Hunter had my endorsement as a super-influential blogger. He’s always been a solid conservative, but he never got any “real” questions in debates and he never got any “real” coverage in the media.
Michelle is good, and if she really boosted Hunter, then that would be a big change in the 2% of conservatives who read blogs daily.
The truth is that Hunter never got the money. Rudy’s sucked up a bunch of capital, but his campaign is tanking. Mitt’s got the best organized campaign. But Hunter was the best candidate for the position.
I think he’s dropping out because of Huckabee. I think Hunter’s been aiming high to hit low (pick up a VP slot), and it won’t happen with Huckabee (can you say Vice-President Norris?). You’ll see him throw his support behind either Mitt or Fred (I’m leaning towards Mitt).
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mitt picked up Hunter/Tancredo early as a VP candidate to shore up perceived weakness on immigration. He’ll need it, especially if Huckafraud can sell his “tough on immigration” bs.
I hope he throws his support to Thompson.
I have liked him from the beginning, however he never really caught fire anywhere as most people have noted. I almost think he entered the race more to get his name out there so he is not just another House Rep. I think that whoever wins the nomination should select him as their VP. It would get Hunter out there, get his name known, plenty of speaking opportunities to gear up and be a great candidate in 2016 or so. Although not as necessary with Thompson or Paul (who despite his “America’s fault” bit which I loathe, has the right answer on just about every other issue, abolisht he DoE, hell yes), he would be a great balance to a ticket that had Guliani or Romney to give it a much more conservative edge. I won’t even say McCain or Huckabee as I just don’t think I can stomach one of them as the candidate…
Well I just wanted to weigh in before the announcement. There goes my pipe dream. The real conservative looks like he’s leaving. I believe Hunter said he wasn’t seeking re-election already too.
Tanc has already thrown his support to Romney. This NH race may just get turned against McAmnesty yet.
The lame stream media ushers off stage another one of the great unwashed candidates. The question is who will he throw his support to…as if the piglets will simply detach from one and reattach to the next candidate’ teat?
Second that TF trinitytim. I got about half way through that post and thought TF. His last line summed it up. Paul supporter – ugh.
One person he probably won’t be endorsing is McCan’t. What Hunter should do is gear up to replace Barbara Boxhead as senator from CA. That would be an accomplishment in itself. He’d be perfect.
I like D-Hunt, but sadly he’s been a one trick pony. He was never going to get elected talking about how he built a fence. And it seems like that’s all he talked about.
Rudy can get away with the constant 9-11 remarks because he has the name recognition and finances to be a viable candidate.
Like everyone else says, I’d like to see him get a cabinet job in the future. Pure patriots are hard to find in Washington these days.
trinitytim, everything is a choice. She is free to make hers on her blog, of course. Geraldo can post the location of the 101st when embedded, or that he wants to spit on Michelle. If I’m reading it I’ll write Fox or his blog in protest. I wrote Fox when he commented on Michelle. Now I’m writing Michelle because she screwed up.
“For the record, Geraldo Rivera was not man enough to apologize personally and directly to me for his unhinged threat.
And his forced non-apology “apology” on The O’Reilly Factor was a whiny, effeminate, blame-the-victim bleat.” Michelle should step up and prove out that she is a reliable source by admitting her mistakes. It’s pretty simple.
postaldog,
You haven’t been paying close attention to Hunter…a one trick pony he is not.
That type of talk should be reserved for, well – one trick ponies.
See for yourself…more here.
Hunter is the only candidate worth a damn, IMHO.
I smell a withdrawal announcement coming.
There goes our last true conservative. He and Tancredo would have made one hell of a team to figh the jihad and seal our borders.
Now the used car salesmen are the only ones left for us conservatives to sort through.
LOL!! Hunter called a press conference to bash ABC News and FOX for not allowing him in the debates this weekend.
FOX did not even carry it. Shame on them. CNN did.
Representative Hunter should probably consider endorsing Senator Thompson. See why here:
http://sheetanchor.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/a-house-divided-will-not-stand/
….and I forgot to say, MSNBC & FOX were just carrying the “leaky Hillary” story and did not break to Hunter. Which is exactly what Hillary wants them to do, give her airtime being fauz human.
The media are idiots. I know, I’m not supposed to be surprised.
With respect, MM, to see one of those responsible for kicking Hunter to the curb, look in the mirror. So far as I’ve seen, all the MainStreamBloggers (and others, such as the self-righteous babbler behind the “golden EIB microphone,” made an instant decision when Hunter started his campaign and declared him dead before he had any chance of getting his messages out.
Yes, I said “messages.” Those who dismiss Hunter as a one-trick pony are ignoring the fact that the remaining candidates in both parties are no trick ponies. If people had listened to Hunter, and looked at his record, they would know they had been sold a bill of goods by the “experts.”
Abe Lincoln wouldn’t have cut it in this environment. And who knew what a Billy Jeff was before the media started kissing up to him in ‘92?
I’m afraid we have lost the last candidate who possesses true integrity in this campaign.
People now suggest Hunter for “cabinet jobs.” Under whose administration? IMO, all the other Republican candidates have proven themselves unprincipled and malleable.
And no Democrat would risk having an honest man in their administration.
I have to agree, Fred Thompson is the best choice for conservatives.
Why is it everyone seems to want/back a ‘rock star’ for public office?
It never ceases to amaze me. The public and the media seem to rate potential depending on the largest ego in the race.
Conservatives use to rate their candidate based on experience, morals, results and past/expected performance.
Today, the message seems to be, the more shallow the person, the more carefully crafted the response (that does not answer the question), the more convuluted the message, the more you love the camera, the more you identify with positions your past record do not support, the more you will be rewarded with media and public support.
The top four candidates are not now, nor will they be, conservatives.
I regret that Hunter is leaving the race. Hopefully, he will offer his support to the only ‘viable’ conservative in the race.
Fred Thompson may, or may not, last in this race. Though his message is clear, his conservative solutions sound, his ability to politely smack down his opponents with ‘fact’ and ‘real’ world realities. The one major complaint is that he did not ‘light a fire’.
Personnally, I do not believe we need to elect an arsonist rock star. We need a strong conservative communicator. We need Fred Thompson ideals.
I would be happy with a Thompson/Hunter ticket.
So has the announcement happened yet? What did he say?
Hunter is not leaving! CNN covered it. He will not let Fox and ABC decide. He will let voterss decide.YEA!
Hunter was my first choice for president based on his conservative platform. The only negative I could find on him is his inability to attract voter support. I’m not sure he really got a chance. I hope either Mitt or Fred pick him as a running mate and put him in charge of the borders.
LOL!! Hey…it is 1434 and I ain’t herd any announcement yet…
Well, apparently the announcement is important enough to show on CNN, but not important enough to have on their website.
Nevermind, they have him listed as “struggling candidate.”
He’s not quitting. He figured it was high time to chew some media ass. Good for Hunter!
Only one reason, Michelle. The media cannot afford to pay attention to a conservative.
Awesome + Conservative = No Media Coverage
It’s as simple as that. So instead the media offers us pablum from RINOs – a watered down message sure to dilute Republican support, and candidates (that they like because they really are liberals) that are sure to be crushed by the Dems.
Hunter supporters are sending requests to Fox News Channel to reinstate Hunter in tonight’s debate. Fox can be reached by calling 1-888-369-4762, extension 4, or (212) 301-3000, or emailing at yourcomments@foxnews.com The Fox News Washington, D.C. telephone number is 202-824-6300.
I think you’re a day late 30 pcs. Unless there’s another debate tonight.
There is another debate tonight.
This is not the first time his new conference has been upstaged by Hillary. It was the crazy guy in a campaign office last time. MSM seems to want him gone which might be a good reason to send another check. Even small donations would help if there are enough of them.
BTW, some of us like Ann Coulter. She has a great sense of humor.She and Michelle would balance each other in a TV show of their own. I can’t take too much more of the ditzy blonds on Fox now. I can’t tell them apart. Hair is exactly the same shade of blond. Did they buy bulk from L’Oreal?
Well, good for him, but (I hate to say it) how much time will it buy?
Perhaps it’s time for a grass-roots effort, such as one seen when Shamnesty was hitting the Congressional floor?
That just might be a little ridiculous.
I am glad to see Hunter stick it out. This announcement alone should garner him a point or two in the polls. If keeps that up, he’ll be treading on Giuliani’s back door.
I’m with you AChefty.
Ok.
Quick! Get Hunter and Thompson registered for the same sermon techniques seminar that Shucknsmee attended.
I’ve been talking the talk but not walking the walk with Hunter. (probably like many of the rest of you out there)
I’m sending him a check today. (I wonder if they accept paypal?)
He’s the right guy (the only guy IMHO) for the job.
Just sent him 50 bones over at the official website (didn’t see a paypal option, dang it.)
Not alot, but like they say, every little bit helps.
Since I write an opinion column (small time by MM’s standards), my editor asked me to plaster everyone I wrote about in my series. Hunter wasn’t included, since I had nothing with which to plaster him. I didn’t write about Huckabee, either, because I wasn’t too impressed either way.
Huck surged after my series was over. I may still plaster him over his various flaws. But I can’t find anything wrong with Hunter. In fact, I admire him for not running for re-election for his congressional seat while running for President.
My newspaper, The Baker County (FL) Standard, is small-town, and they have never endorsed a candidate for any office.
But at this rate, I may try to see if my editor will let me break the rules. Time will tell. Stay tuned.
Glad to see he is standing firm and staying in the race I was afraid he was going to call it quits. The MSM to include Fox News have done all they can to marginalize the real conservative candidates running for the GOP nomination. As we move past the two liberal states (I do not mean Wyoming because the MSM ignored them) that do not in any way represent most conservatives in this nation we may see Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson start to make headway and gain delegates keeping the GOP convention anything but a sure thing for the RINOs being packaged for our consumption by the MSM.
So, in the words of Mark Twain,
“Reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Why hasn’t Hunter “caught fire” when the Huckster has?
The Media could live with Huck as a candidate — he is probably the only Republican running that even Hillary can beat. It’s better to try to bury Hunter rather than let his message actually get out.
And Michelle, I sort of agree that you could have done more to draw attention to him. He *is* a solid candidate, and has been on every issue I care about. Maybe its not too late, since he’s not out of it after all.
Dream Ticket: Thompson/Hunter ‘08. Still.
# 18 melvin,
this is about what? the 12 post regarding this. let it rest and get a life. go find a all night pot smoking ron paul fest and stare at the stars would ya… geez.
Just sent my second contribution.He is the only candidate I want to vote for and I am still a Democrat. Too much going on here to get it changed.
I NEVER understood how such a great conservative was left out of things or is it his fault? He had great stands, but why was he invisable? Maybe I don’t understand how things work, but why wasn’t he on Fox? All these other Rhinos are on, why not him? I loved him and Tancredo and they were always lowest in the polls. The one time I saw Tancredo on H&C, Geraldo didn’t give him a word in and Sean allowed it, why is that? If someone can tell me why such a good man is no seen, let me know.
I wish this name recognition would have happened sooner, but good on him for sticking with it. It would truly be a wonderful miracle for Hunter to win the GOP ticket.
As an Independant, all I can say is that I would love seeing him run next year as an independant. Time to take on the political parties that talk about “change”. Change can only be found outside the Democratic and Republican parties.
Perhaps he is not seen because he is a good man. Good men don’t make good headlines.
Hunter is a good guy who the media should pay more attention to.
He’s got the knucklehead part exactly right.
silver,
Nothing on D-Hunts website that really differentiates him from the other candidates. #5 on his list – built a fence. Couple of paragraphs into his bio – built a fence. And…?
Look, I like his position on illegal immigration. He seems like a great guy. But so does Thompson, and he’s suffering the same problems — people look at his seven years in Congress and go, eh?
These guys have thin resumes, and this race is being run by the media. Initially they wanted Rudy vs. Hillary, now they’re leaning towards Mitt vs. Barack. That’s where the attention goes and air time, etc. And that drives the polls, and so on.
Makes it hard for anyone who’s not a media darling to get ahead. More’s the pity.
I’m a solid Hunter fan, and this news fills me with pride and joy. I’m glad he’s sticking it out, and more to the point, I hope that any influence that he has can be put to good use.
Frankly, while he is still very much the long shot, Duncan Hunter would still make a darn good VP, cabinet appointee, or better yet, work on that name recognition/campaign war chest thingie so that he can be ready for 2012 should the Dems win big in November.
That is perfect politics, the blood wolves come to feast and get beat with a reality stick
Way to go Mr. Hunter
Go Duncan Go! Still my top pick. I think Fred would make him a great VP.
“Did they buy bulk from L’Oreal?”
Heh Heh. That’s a good one, Auntie. Glad I’m not the only one who has noticed that being an attractive blond (natural or not) appears to be a significant qualification for talking head jobs at Fox News.
Hunter will definately get my vote here in SC. If he bows out before then, Fred will get my vote.
The media wants a Huckabee/Houssein race, with a Houssein win. It’s quite obvious. Don’t let the media determine your vote!
Hang in there, Duncan Hunter! If all else fails, go after Awnold’s governorship (term limited, as I remember)! Then come back another day to fight for what we all want and believe in. If, as I believe, Obama is our next president, you’ll have a “mell of a hess” to clean up!
My check will be in the morning mail.
This is great news,but only if he can get some media coverage.Hate to see the best candidate be ignored.C’mon Hunter make some noise.
Voting principle over personality: Duncan can’t hunt.
Well, Reagan couldn’t make it out of primary season once upon a time too. The guy needed to build a higher profile. Most of his competitors were/are governors and senators. If all else fails, he should run for governor of CA or better yet, depose one of our gruesome twosome senators (especially Boxer).