Duncan Hunter to withdraw?

[brooklynite]

Source: LA Times

Manchester, N.H. -- California's own Duncan Hunter, ostensibly a Republican candidate for president, has scheduled a "major announcement" at 11 a.m. (PST) "regarding the future of his presidential bid."

It's hard to imagine he will be saying anything other than his campaign for the Republican nomination has no future and that he is withdrawing.

Hunter, a House member from the San Diego area respected on Capitol Hill for his expertise in defense matters, campaigned very little in Iowa, saying he was focusing on New Hampshire. But, with little money or support, he's been nonexistent in the state these last few days.

He'll be making his announcement at a hotel in downtown Manchester. He previously announced that he won't be seeking reelection to the House seat he first won in 1980. (His son hopes to replace him).

Saw him campaign yesterday in NH and I'll glad to be rid of him. That being said, why would you drop out 18 hours before voting starts?




Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/breaking-news-.html

[XemaSab]

1. Awww... so sad.... I liked that guy

He made the rest of them look normal. :(

[aquart]

12. You really want to think about that.

Although merely indictable does seem refreshingly normal in comparison, I guess.

[XemaSab]

13. That was teh facetious coming out

:)

[arcos]

2. To give a last minute boost to someone else? nt

[David in Canada]

9. If so...

If he is withdrawing to give a boost to someone else, it could be Fred Thompson. Mssrs. Thompson and Hunter share the same wavelength on the ideological spectrum, so Thompson would be the natural choice for Hunter. However, in the bizarro world which we live in today, such a presumption could prove fallacious.

Of course, such a boost would not help Thompson one whit in New Hampshire. However, it could very well add enough points to carry South Carolina and Nevada, where Hunter has a base of support. Hunter also was performing above his typical >1% in Michigan as well. In a close primary, that could add beaucoup delegates for Thompson. (The Republican primaries operate on a winner-take-all basis in most states. In a Democratic primary, such a tactical maneuver would be negated by the proportional nature of delegate apportionment.)

Should the improbable occur and Thompson win both the nomination and the general election, Hunter would likely be awarded the Defense or Homeland Security portfolios in a Thompson administration, barring indictment, of course. (See below)

[Mz Pip]

3. Why drop out now?

Maybe he wants to throw the votes of the 5 people who support him to his like minded wacko, the Mitwit.

That'll help I'm sure. :sarcasm:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Vinca]

4. No, no, say it ain't so. Hunter/Brownback was my dream ticket.

:rofl:

[JeffR]

5. N o o o o o o o ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Come back, Hunkin Dunter, come back!!!!!

[Orangepeel]

6. well, that will shake up the race

:eyes:

[ryanmuegge]

7. He speaks out against unfair trade deals. He's got no chance with the Republicans.

I don't know why he even bothers, really. Plus, he's actually against illegal immigration (unlike the others, who just say they are).

[David in Canada]

8. Indictment Coming Down?

I remember that Congressman Hunter was in an imbroglio a while back. If my memory hasn't failed me, I do believe that there were whispers that he had (has?) ties with lobbyists Brent Wilkes and Bill Lowery. Wilkes as you may recall, was a key figure in the Duke Cunningham debacle which resulted in Mr. Cunningham's current all expenses paid 'vacation' to Club Fed.

[nyc83]

10. who is duncan hunter

asks 99% of the country

[grantcart]

11. From San Diego

He couldn't get elected mayor of San Diego. He is passing his seat to his son and is hoping to get a VP nomination out of if but he will have no impact in CA. He is a lobbyist in training and will soon be making big money rep'ing expensive defense projects to the military

[Javaman]

14. He was still running? lol nt

[pleah]

15. I thought he was already gone.