I'd like to thank Matt Margolis for giving me the opportunity to talk to his readers at "Blogs for Bush" and "GOP Bloggers" about my candidacy. I am committed to reaching out to conservatives in the blogosphere and this is a great opportunity to do just that.
National Journal ranks me as the most conservative member of Congress running for the Presidency based on my lifetime voting record. So, I don't need to hire an army of consultants to turn me into a conservative. My record hasn't changed since I was swept into office by the Reagan Revolution 26 years ago. In fact, someone recently pointed out to me that I have more experience in Congress than the top three Democratic candidates combined.
I'm also a Vietnam veteran who served in the 173rd Airborne and 75th Army Rangers. I've been to Iraq five times, have a son who served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine, and Chaired of the House Armed Services Committee. So, I know what it will take to lead the country to victory in the war on terror.
That being said, homeland security begins at our nation's borders. Knowing who and what are entering our country is critical to our efforts to secure our communities and protect our families. Illegal immigration is a national security threat. If you're looking for a candidate who will build the wall on the Mexican border and will put a stop to illegal immigration, I'd encourage you to take a hard look at my candidacy. I built the border fence in San Diego and proved that it works. I wrote the Secure Fence Act to extend the San Diego fence 854 miles across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It's now the law. However, construction of the fence is going far too slowly. If elected President, I pledge to you that I will complete the border fence in six months.
Another important issue for my campaign is protecting American jobs from unfair trade practices. American workers are the most productive and innovative labor force in the world. Unfortunately, they are asked to compete in an unfair environment against other workers who make only a fraction of a living wage and are employed by companies that face few, if any, responsibilities to the environment or to their employees. In addition, American manufacturers are forced to compete against foreign companies that benefit from their country's currency and/or regulatory regimes. We've allowed nations like China to devalue their currency and place high tariffs on our goods, which puts American workers at an enormous disadvantage, not because they're doing a bad job, but because our government isn't insisting on fair trade. Ominously, China is cheating on trade and using the billions of American trade dollars to arm its military. If I'm elected President, I will fix this bad deal on trade.
It is also important for you to know that I am pro-life, always have been, always will be. The life of the unborn child deserves the same rights and protections as any citizen of the United States. I have sponsored many pieces of pro-life legislation and have a clear and consistent record of fighting for the rights of our most vulnerable Americans.
In addition, you should know that I am committed to the principle that marriage is the foundational building block of our society. It is under threat by activist judges throughout the country. It must be clearly defined throughout America as the unity of one man with one woman.
There are other threats to our traditional American values. Groups like the ACLU have waged a relentless battle to remove any mention of God from public life in America. This strikes at our very foundations. That is why I took action to save the Mt. Soledad Memorial in San Diego, California when it was threatened. That is why on the Armed Services Committee, we successfully defended our military chaplains and preserved their right to pray without fear of censorship by military commanders.
Our Second Amendment rights have also been under threat. The right to keep and bear arms is an absolute right of Americans to protect their families and their communities and their nation with firearms. In this age of post-911, Americans, I believe are comforted by the fact that our ability to resist terrorism is not limited to law enforcement or defense agencies but is also within the ability of all gun-owning Americans. Gun control laws directed at law-abiding citizens are not a crime deterrent. In fact, studies show that private ownership of firearms by Americans reduces crime. You and I both know that the one thing criminals prefer more than any other is unarmed victims.
You should also know that I recognize Israel as America's most important ally in the Middle East. I strongly support Israel's survival as a free nation and a loyal ally of the United States. As President, I will not support any effort to further diminish the land area of Israel.
The whole world looks to United States of America as that "shining city on a hill" that Ronald Reagan called upon us to be. Enemies of freedom will find no more powerful foe than a strong America. Friends of liberty will find no greater ally.
Thank you for allowing me to share these issues with you. It is a time for choosing - for choosing what kind of America we will pass on to our children and grandchildren. My life's work is to pass on to posterity a secure America, strong and free. That's an agenda that I believe appeals not just to conservatives, but to the majority of the American people. If it appeals to you, I hope you'll take the time to learn more about my campaign at my website.
______________
This guest blog entry from 2008 GOP presidential candidate Duncan Hunter is cross-posted at Blogs For Bush.
"There are other threats to our traditional American values."
Like taking a liberty from me?
You voted to ban internet poker. I will not vote for anyone who takes a liberty from me.
Posted by: Joe Naborz at March 27, 2007 12:56 PM
Congressman Hunter,
You stated, "Knowing who and what are entering our country is critical to our efforts to secure our communities and protect our families. Illegal immigration is a national security threat."
Personally, I see the wall as a temporary measure which cannot be effective in the long term. getting a handle on who and what is entering into our nation is more critical and more crucial, not only from an economic perspective but also from a National Security point of view.
Now I have heard (ad nauseam)about the wall, and I respect the data and results of the wall that you helped erect, but that is not an answer to the problem, IMO. How do you propose we get a handle on the people who enter our nation, how do we track and how can we deter people from choosing to cross our borders illegally?
Posted by: Dendas at March 28, 2007 03:06 AM
I thought it sounded excellent and I like the Trade thing because I live in Michigan and all because of NAFTA were losing jobs I'm only 16 but I already see the horrifying results of it. Al becuase of unfair Trade with China, Japan, and Mexico Michigan is in a Recession and also our horrible Governor. My question is are you against NAFTA and the creation of CAFTA if not then how will you make up for the jobs lost and how will you or will you save our companies in the U.S. like General Motors and Chrystler and don't forget Ford what will you do? Thank you
Posted by: Allen Reichle at April 9, 2007 08:41 AM
Yes, Congressman Hunter, get acquainted with Bush inner circle workings after our Freedom Medal got good use and lots of money for Tenet. Read here:
After hearing that George Tenet has written that there was never, a serious discussion leading to Iraq War in a book President Bush called all of his left over confidants for a meeting. Here are the notes from that meeting:
George Bush: How can he do that to our administration? Good part that, he still likes me. What you think Condi?
Condi: Yes, Mr. President, we should call Alberto Gonzales and ask him, which US attorney will be ready to file law suite against George Tenet and recall US Medal of Freedom. First attorney who says no, we will have Alberto fire him and then first attorney that says yes, we will replace Alberto with him.
George Bush; That is good one Condi, you are always thinking ahead we kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of Alberto, recover Medal Freedom and go on to doing business like we always do.
Condi: No Sir, I will kill four birds with one stone, besides getting rid of Alberto, recovering Medal of Freedom, I will also get rid of Patrick J. Fitzgerald and promote Hariet Meir.
Cheney: That is so good Condi. Now, can you arrange for George Tenet and my Turkey hunting tour to a Texas ranch, where I can do the job or may be this time I should take him to TURKEY country and let someone else take care of him, so that he is silent for rest of his life. Last time, I took care of someone when he saw me kissing her; he has yet to tell someone.
Karl Rove: Mr. President, I am not feeling so well after all the money we were getting from Abram is drying up, all other places Democrats in control of congress are asking us questions, and we cannot no more give unsolicited business to KBR or Halliburton. George Tenet is making serious money on his book. May be I should also take off and then in next six month, I can be talk of the town, as if he is now.
George Bush: Karl, I know you are having hard time answering questions about Libby and Abraham and now this. Dick (Cheney), why do not we go and arrange a hunting fishing trip with Karl Rove, you and me. I can always ask to be excused to run to Crawford or another dignitary death or other VT type incident and you take care of any future problems.
This meeting is now adjourned.
Posted by: Raj Kapoor at April 28, 2007 06:40 AM
I am a Republican Christian. I am so glad you are pro-life: anti-choice, anti-war, anti-capitol punishment. Thank God someone stands up for what they believe "in" and what they believe. Too often, candidates running for President say they are "pro-life" but skirt the carnage of war and the barbaric, inhumane Capitol punishment laws in our beloved United States. I will vote for you. Your views correlate with the Vatican. Pro-Life, anti-war, anti-Capitol Punishment. God Bless
Posted by: Lisa Kaus at May 11, 2007 02:05 AM
When you exclude someone from the Straw Poll, your term 'Caucus of Corruption' has a double meaning.
Posted by: Dr. Brian Carey at August 30, 2007 11:44 AM
