Duncan Hunter throws a curveball

After being excluded from this weekend’s New Hampshire debates, the word of an announcement from the Duncan Hunter for President camp had the media thinking that he would exit the race on the eve of the primary tomorrow. Well, guess again! From CNN:

Underdog GOP presidential candidate Duncan Hunter lashed out at “knucklehead media executives” who did not include him in this weekend’s New Hampshire primary debates, telling reporters he was staying in the race despite widespread expectations he would announce his withdrawal.

The conservative California congressman criticized debate organizers at FOX and ABC for not extending him an invitation when “guys with zero delegates” like Rudy Giuliani and John McCain were allowed to participate in the events, saying they “decided my campaign was over, and the lights would be shut out on my campaign.

“So here’s my answer: I’m not going to quit. I’m staying in.”

As Michelle Malkin noted:

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.

Exactly, and I stated this the other day when I discussed the debates.

One thing about the elections in states where they have closed primaries is that the more radical and involved partisans tend to vote – conversely, New Hampshire is a state where independents can vote for either party in the primary. Large-scale national polls may not necessarily reflect the degree of passion from the primary voters. It’s why Rudy Giuliani leads in national polling but fared poorly in Iowa and Wyoming, because passionate evangelicals in Iowa contributed mightily to Mike Huckabee’s win and party grassroots along with a little bit of retail politics helped Mitt Romney win in Wyoming. You’ll notice Fred Thompson and Hunter also showed well, reflecting that state’s conservatism. Wyoming is certainly the most “red” state that has expressed its opinion so far.

Another point I previously made was noted by a commentor in Malkin’s post. Hunter doesn’t have a large political base from his Congressional seat so he’s not had the name recognition that a Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, or even Fred Thompson has.

But I do agree with Hunter’s assessment of the media as “knuckleheads” for excluding him (as well as Alan Keyes and Ron Paul) from the debate process. Of course I’m passionate about his campaign because after I studied where he stands on all of my pet issues, he came out on top because I agree most with his views and what he would do (like building a border fence in six months.) Since I have no desire to be President, I wanted someone who would represent my stances and worldview the best and Duncan Hunter is the guy who does that.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media has moved itself into a position where THEY determine which candidates sink or swim. Of course, the 90% plus who don’t read blogs or honestly pay attention to politics until a few days before the primary and just answer polls based solely on name recognition (from the mainstream media of course) make this a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’m one who’s trying to change that but alas it is a slow process.

Maybe I’m in a very small minority of one or two percent, but sometimes that one or two percent is right. Conservatives don’t have to settle for a media-determined so-called frontrunner like Mike Huckabee or John McCain. And doesn’t America always root for the underdog?

Crossposted on Red Maryland.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

4 thoughts on “Duncan Hunter throws a curveball”

  1. Great blog on Hunter! I agree about the “knuckleheads” in the media. I also blame the so called right wing media ignoring this man. Coulter’s endorsement “crotchety old man who doesn’t smile”, Limbaugh can’t even say his name, Savage swears there’s nobody out there. Hannity is a Fred Head. Others give the classic “he’s great but can’t win”. I’ve heard for years about the left wing bias of the media,that is correct, but yet Republicans still let the “biased” media pick their candidates. Maybe this is wishful thinking but I think Hunter has more curve balls to pitch. He needs one spark. Hopefully, Nevada and/or Texas will give it to him. Because the right wing media surely won’t.

  2. If bias media and money decide the outcome of this election then it’s not really a democracy anymore.

    Glenn Beck had Hunter on his show when this happen.

    Add some color with putting Alan Keyes in the debates.

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