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Rep. Duncan Hunter runs for the money not the Presidency.

By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com

   December 18, 2006

 

  

 

Rep. Duncan Hunter runs for the money not the Presidency.

By Patrick Osio, Jr.

Here you are unknown outside your Congressional district, you’ve sat in the House for 20 some years; have done nothing to distinguish yourself; your call to fame is involvement in the Congressional banking scandal writing over 400 insufficient-funds checks that the government had to make good; and legislatively getting the government to build a fence from the Pacific Ocean extending 14 miles east along the US-Mexico border; then boast it has stopped 80 percent of  illegal immigrants though illegal immigration in the same sector increases every year; then campaigned for adding another 700 miles because that will do it – so now - elect me, Duncan Hunter, President.

In fact, Congressman Hunter knows that were he to be remotely viewed as a real potential presidential candidate all his do-nothing years, his silly and unworkable solutions to real local and national problems, the questionable “gifts to supporters” running into hundreds of thousands of dollars spent from political donations received, buddy relationships with lobbyists – all would come under very hard scrutiny that in the end would embroil him in deserved scandal.

So why is he running for the presidency? Simple, the money and with a little luck, if a Republican wins the White House in 2008, maybe, just maybe, he can be named Secretary of Defense.

Don’t laugh – Pat Buchanan proved the making money part. What were his credentials for running? How about he was a speech writer for President Reagan and a syndicated writer? In 2002, he ran for the nominations, raised $12 million while spending very little on the campaign. He simply went along the US-Mexico border states calling for press briefings announcing that there was a problem with illegal immigration. The more outlandish his language and bizarre accusations about Mexicans, the more free national press coverage he received. This touched a cord with a sector of US citizens who opened their wallets for “the cause.”

Buchanan lost the primary that year, but his campaign committee continued to exist for several years with all those funds and making more money. Part of the funds was invested deriving dividends; and there was income from renting the donors’ mailing list to other politicians. It paid off handsomely, Buchanan and his sister Bay as the Campaign Manager, continued to use the funds to cover expenses: hotels, meals, travel, and of course all things associated to a losing campaign for four years until they were fined a cool quarter of a million dollars. By then it was time to open another campaign committee for another run. Plus, the notoriety it brought Buchanan made him a darling of commentary shows.

Hunter is losing the chairmanship of the powerful House Armed Services Committee as the Democrats take over. That little seat was worth millions in political contributions that could be used, with a little creative manipulation, to finance a lavish life style. But the take goes dramatically down by just occupying a seat in the committee with the loss of prestige. There will be no more kissing his hand by lobbyists and those seeking favorable government contracts, and no more big bucks.

So he announces that this is his last term and will now set about to rescue the country in his words, “I believe in a strong national defense, a strong and enforceable border, a two-way street on trade.”

Well, who doesn’t? Now you got it. Since no one, at least no US citizen, disagrees with that noble endeavor, he wants in order of importance, your money and your vote. OK if you short him on the vote, but not the money.

His “I believe in a strong national defense” means more of everything military: jets, ships, armament, troops, and foreign bases. If such things like health care for the poor and elderly, education for the young, and other social programs have to go without funding, so be it, “national defense” comes first even if it’s exaggerated.

His “strong enforceable border” means seal the border, 700-miles is just a start, 2000 miles is what is needed. If we stop illegal border crossings, there will be no illegal immigration. In this manner there will be no need for employer sanctions, after all they are also victims. And what do we do about the other 5 to 6 million illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico/Central America?  They’re not the problem, the Mexicans are. And if the fences don't work?  Keep building more until it works.

His “two-way street on trade” means we sell - you buy. And if you don’t like it we don’t care.

Like many others, Hunter has found that simple words have far more impact, making substance irrelevant and simplicity  resonates with at least a couple of million Americans who don’t want to hear anything else but that we win because we are America and other countries had better do what we tell them to do.

A North County Times (San Diego) article by John Van Doorn put it best, “Hunter is sure to be regarded as a wacko, so far right and so un-attuned to the national vibe that he is a joke. In other places he may be seen as the one true conservative…”

 

         And too many conservatives are willing to support patriotic sounding prophets with or without credentials.

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Patrick Osio, Jr. is Editor of HispanicVista.com (www.hispanicvista.com). Contact at: Posiojr@aol.com

 

(The opinions expressed by Patrick Osio, Jr. are solely his and do not necessarily reflect those of HispanicVista.com, editorial board of advisors or it’s contributing writers.)

Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals.

The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.