Duncan Hunter Leaves GOP Field
Calif. Rep. Duncan Hunter ends his presidential bid after winning 2 percent in the Nevada caucuses. (Getty Images).
Updated 7:24 p.m.
By Michael D. Shear
LAS VEGAS -- California Rep. Duncan Hunter dropped out of the Republican presidential race after placing near the bottom of the pack in Nevada's voting and even before the polls closed in South Carolina's primary.
In a statement, Hunter said he recognized that his campaign had not gained "traction" and he said he will return to the House of Representatives to do legislative work on defense issues, which have been his specialty there.
"The failure of our campaign to gain traction is mine and mine alone," he said. "But we have driven the issues of national security, the border fence, the emergence of China and the need to reverse bad trade policy. Because of that, this campaign has been very worthwhile, and for the Hunter family, a lot of fun."
Hunter, who represented the conservative San Diego area, had never raised much money and captured almost no attention from the media or the public. His only moments in the spotlight were the many Republican debates, but even there, he was outshined by Rep. Ron Paul and the front-runners in the GOP contest.
Hunter tried to appeal to conservative voters with an aggressive message on illegal immigration and was steadfastly pro-military during his year-long run for the White House. His departure leaves six people in the race.
Posted at 6:59 PM ET on Jan 19, 2008
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Posted by: cpoom | January 20, 2008 10:10 PM
It's about time.And after Super Tuesday,Dr.
Paul should announce he's leaving the GOP,
running as an independent,with Lou Dobbs as
his running mate.Now that's a ticket for
America.
Posted by: kennreyn | January 20, 2008 6:28 PM
You know with all the problems facing America, it would be really nice if the mainstream media actually cared about reporting on the positions of each Presidential candidate on all the issues rather than reporting on the horse race. Unfortunately the MSM thinks that only the polls and the candidate's "presidential charisma" are important. Who the heck cares how they comb their hair or what color her dress was?! We will get more in depth reporting on the Super Bowl players than we will on the remaining candidates. It is all quite maddening.
We each seem to have our own major issue(s) that make their choice for President seem like the best one. My question is: Would someone tell me why we should NOT elect Ron Paul?
The rest, with Richardson out and Kucinich low in the polls, seem to be talking crazy talk about our military adventures in the Middle East. Additionally, no one else seems to understand the problems with the economy, inflation, and out of control deficit spending. Inflation is going to eat us alive, as it has already started to do so. Do you really believe that the REAL inflation rate last year, the rate that was used by the government for Social Security check increases this month, was 2.3%? Just look at the price of gold up 30% in 2007, now at an all time high and getting higher!
One can not talk about tax cuts without ALSO talking about cutting spending. We have a $9 trillion debt (nearly double since 2000) that must be paid so we can afford Social Security and Medicare. The interest payments will go sky high when we begin to fight inflation with higher Federal Reserve bank rates.
And we must stop inflation or everyone's life savings will go down the tubes, along with the middle class, like what has happened to the middle class in most countries south of our border. And do not forget National Health Insurance, which is coming down the tracks right at us, unless Republicans begin to understand the seriousness of runaway deficits and inflation. And start educating the country. A Democratic President will surely not fight inflation like Volcker and Reagan did!
Please vote Ron Paul and save the country from bankruptcy abroad and at home!
Posted by: RamseySt | January 19, 2008 9:03 PM
Duncan Hunter is a good quality man and politician who is much too honest and straightforward to be elected President. His failure is that he has not been given the opportunity by the Washington elite to give his honest opinion on important issues that impact our nation. Without the national party support, no politician can hope to prevail in a national election. His views, while important and honest do not always impress the one or two issue voters. San Diego can be proud of their congressman. Don't you wish that all congressmen would put the welfare of the nation first and their political ambitions second?
Posted by: thall1 | January 19, 2008 8:11 PM
A clueless Sinophobic, neither skillful nor intelligent to be in politics to begin with, finally bows to the reality. Next time before embarrass yourself, don't forget take medication first.
Posted by: chensiqi | January 19, 2008 8:04 PM
A clueless Sinophobic, neither skillful nor intelligent to be in politics to begin with, finally bows to the reality. Next time before embarrass yourself, don't forget take medication first.
Posted by: chensiqi | January 19, 2008 8:04 PM
"....he said he will return to the House of Representatives to do legislative work on defense issues, which have been his specialty there."
I've heard Duncan Hunter talk plenty about attacking other people's countries.
I've never once heard him talk about defense.
Posted by: Bud0 | January 19, 2008 7:54 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Duncan Hunter was a fine conservative candidate. It's too bad his campaign didn't gain "traction." From all that I saw, he focused on important issues, was polite, positive, and upbeat. It's too bad he's left the field of candidates.