Thread: Franks backs a McCain rival for White House

The author can't even put Hunter's name in the headline. Geez!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... ccain.html

Franks backs a McCain rival for White House

Billy House
Republic Washington Bureau
Dec. 29, 2006 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON - One of Arizona's most conservative U.S. House members is endorsing a California congressman over Sen. John McCain for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, saying it is "what's right for America."

"I think the senator knows there's nothing personal on my part," Rep. Trent Franks said of his support of Rep. Duncan Hunter. Hunter, outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, begins his 14th term next month as a congressman from the San Diego area.

Franks said he already has stumped alongside Hunter, who advocates in favor of strong military and for border security. Hunter announced the formation of his presidential exploratory committee in October.
Craig Goldman, a spokesman for McCain's presidential exploratory committee, had no comment on Franks' endorsement.

Franks said he knows that his early backing of the lesser-known Hunter will raise eyebrows, given that his own state's senior senator is considering a run for the White House.

But without criticizing McCain directly, Franks described Hunter as a candidate who "is an unequivocal social conservative and fiscal conservative and has a consistent conservative voting record."

"He is one of the true Reagan Revolutionaries in Congress," Franks said.

McCain is considered a leading candidate for the 2008 GOP nomination. His contrary positions on issues important to conservatives, including campaign finance, the environment, judicial nominees and gun control, have led to strained relations with some in the party. But for more than a year, McCain has been saddling up more often with President Bush and reaching out to the hard-core Republican base and Religious Right.

Hunter was one of a few House members to endorse McCain in the 2000 GOP presidential primaries, although he voiced objection to McCain's attack on evangelical leaders. Franks was not a member of Congress then.

Sen. Jon Kyl and Rep. Jeff Flake, two of Arizona's four other Republicans in the new Congress that begins next week, said Thursday that they are backing McCain. Reps. John Shadegg and Rick Renzi could not be reached.

"I will play whatever role he asks me to play," Kyl said of McCain.

"It's a poor secret that I will be endorsing him," Flake said. As for Franks' endorsement of Hunter, Flake said "that's certainly his choice; McCain is not going to have a heavy hand here."

Franks' decision to endorse Hunter over his fellow Arizonan is not much of a blow to McCain, one analyst said.

"Trent Franks seems to be acting on principle because he's certainly not going with the easy winner," said David Mark, politics editor at a new Capitol Hill newspaper and Web site that will launch next month. "Most people haven't heard of Duncan Hunter, nor have they heard of Trent Franks, with all due respect."

Franks described Hunter as "a bold, Valley Forge, Ronald Reagan Republican who holds the temperament and philosophical foundations to lead this country to its greatest heights yet."

He noted that Hunter, a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, also is "an expert in national defense and matters surrounding the war on terror, as much as anyone in Congress." As Armed Services chairman, Hunter has had a big say on military issues. But he loses that post when Democrats take control of the House.

Franks, who is entering his third term in Congress, has worked with Hunter as a member of that committee.

McCain, himself a decorated Vietnam veteran, will be the ranking Republican on the Senate's Armed Services Committee in the new Congress and is viewed as an expert on defense issues.

Franks noted that Hunter played a leading role in legislation calling for a fence, which is nearing construction, along the U.S.-Mexican border near San Diego, and co-authored legislation to extend that fence as much as 700 miles, including into Arizona.

McCain voted in favor of the fence.

When Hunter announced the formation of his exploratory committee in San Diego, Franks was the only member of Congress to appear at the event.

"Looking at the makeup of the (GOP presidential) field right now, I see an awful lot of room on the conservative side of the ledger," Franks said.

"When people understand who Duncan Hunter is, he will go from long shot to someone people will be paying a whole lot of attention to."

And if that doesn't happen?

"If Senator McCain gains the momentum, I will adopt him," Franks said. "In the meantime, I'm endorsing Duncan Hunter."

If Tancredo is not going to run, then Hunter is the man I am going to back and do what I can to campaign for him in my area.

Originally Posted by nittygritty

If Tancredo is not going to run, then Hunter is the man I am going to back and do what I can to campaign for him in my area.

I'm with you nitty. Hunter needs to really get out there and spread his message because most of the country doesn't know him. He's my rep so just maybe I can help more somehow. We'll know soon enough who else will run but up to now Hunter is my pick too.

Kate wrote:

Jean, I know Hunter is a strong proponent of building the fence and of border security, is a strong supporter of our military, and voted against free trade agreements (didn't he?). Beyond that, I don't know much about him.

Yes, Rep. Hunter voted against NAFTA and CAFTA. Most importantly though, he's against amnesty for illegal immigrants!

Maybe this will help bring you up to date on Rep. Duncan Hunter:

http://www.betterimmigration.com/candid ... res08.html

By the way, find me one candidate that meets each and every requirement all of us would like to see in a candidate and I'll eat my hat. There's no such thing as a perfect candidate - just have to weigh the plus and minuses. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is the best option we have and he certainly has my support when considered against the other yahoo's running.

Sen. Jon Kyl and Rep. Jeff Flake, two of Arizona's four other Republicans in the new Congress that begins next week, said Thursday that they are backing McCain.

Personally, I could care less about Rep. Jeff "I love illegals" Flake's opinion on anything!

Yep, Tancredo and Hunter. It sounds like a great ticket to me.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Yep, Tancredo and Hunter. It sounds like a great ticket to me.

Yes at this point in time I agree.

Jean, I do support Hunter, though I always like to ask questions! The actual effects of the military commissions and defense authorization acts seem somewhat open to interpretation, depending on who is doing the interpreting. Maybe these were proposed with good intentions (at least by Hunter), but could have unintended consequences (or perhaps intended consequences if the president happens to be Bush!)??

This is GREAT NEW YEAR'S News!

Might be wise if everyone begins to call Hunter's offices next week.
He'll need to hear from Americans who support him early on.

my 2 cents.

2ndamendsis wrote:

Might be wise if everyone begins to call Hunter's offices next week.
He'll need to hear from Americans who support him early on.

Agreed, we need to give Rep. Hunter the confidence that comes with knowing you're supported by a huge segment of the population. We need Hunter to get a running start out of the blocks!