Duncan Hunter Announces Presidential Bid

Spartanburg, SC (TLS). U.S. House Representative Duncan Hunter, R-CA, announced his bid for the Republican Presidential nomination before a friendly audience here in the upstate of South Carolina. The setting of the announcement was the luxurious Marriott Renaissance Park Hotel in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at a breakfast gathering entitled, 'America--The Strength of Freedom.'

Spartanburg is located in the overwhelmingly conservative and Republican stronghold of northwest South Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area has experienced tremendous growth through the years with its emphasis on low taxes, a business-friendly environment, and relatively low crime rate. Located 70 miles south of the booming North Carolina metropolis of Charlotte, the Greenville-Spartanburg area is home to the North American headquarters of BMW. The history of the area, however, is deeply rooted in the textile industry, with business mogul Roger Milliken calling the Spartanburg area home.

Milliken was present at the announcement of Hunter's Presidential bid this morning, though he has yet to endorse a candidate. Milliken did state, however, that Hunter's is a 'voice that needs to be heard.' Hunter's support for measures that correct unfair trade imbalances and policies that favor underpaid and unskilled overseas labor makes him an attractive candidate to people like Roger Milliken.

In his remarks today, Hunter stated that he wished to pick up where former President Ronald Reagan left off. Indeed, Hunter's views on government, the military, taxes, family, abortion, and the important place of religious faith in society put him in a unique position among the field of Presidential candidates at present. He is perhaps the only candidate in either Party that has truly remained faithful to the ideas of 'the Reagan Revolution' for the past 25 years since he was first elected to Congress.

Hunter has consistently echoed the Reagan mantra, 'Peace through strength,' in his campaign appearances.

In addition, the candidate is the ONLY candidate in either Party who has achieved the top rating of 'A+' from Gun Owners of America. This sets him apart from gun-grabbers such as John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, John Edwards, Barack Hussein Obama, and Hillary Clinton.

The candidate is also in favor of strict immigration reform, a concept that will definitely appeal to those who are aware of the threat posed to the country from an immigration policy that not only is raging out of control but the laws of which are not even being enforced.

It was Duncan Hunter, furthermore, who initially introduced a resolution demanding the release of the two Border Patrol agents who were recently sent to prison for merely doing the job they were hired to do--protect U.S. borders from illegal aliens who not only cross the border illegally but smuggle drugs into the country.

Duncan Hunter's background is also a refreshing balm to citizens who are fed up with lip-service and no action, and politicians who claim an adherence to religious faith but portray very little of it once they get elected. Rep. Hunter is a devout Baptist layman who has remained faithful to his traditional views on morality, family, abortion, prayer, and freedom of religious expression.

Further, the candidate is a true American hero, having served with distinction in Viet Nam, receiving the Bronze Star for bravery. Hunter's son has served in the War in Iraq on two separate occasions.

Perhaps Hunter's most endearing remarks to this socially conservative and deeply religious audience had to do with the abortion issue. Echoing his remarks to the pro-life rally in Washington on Monday, Hunter stated, 'If we have a judicial applicant, a judicial nominee who can look at a sonogram of an unborn child and not see the value of human life ... if I should become president of the United States, he will not receive a judicial appointment.'

Fundraising will definitely be a challenge to Hunter as he seeks the Republican nomination in a field of candidates who have much more name recognition. However, as the Republican and conservative base gets to know him better, and thoroughly evaluates his stance on the issues that are important to those who love liberty, we could well witness a surge in support of this stalwart of freedom.