I consistently hear two things about Duncan Hunter’s 52nd Congressional seat:
1) The real goal of the presidential bid is a McCain/Romney/Giuliani/TBD offer of a NSA or DOD Sec’y position (or even VP) and — short of that — the Congressman will announce for re-election.
2) The prospect of son Duncan D. Hunter running for dad’s open seat is simply as a "place-holder," so as to scare off other potentials, especially when it comes time for dad to decide he wants some more.
Such a well-thought out scenario would mean some significant strategic planning in the Hunter camp. In reality, all they likely have time for is getting thru each day on the presidential campaign trail.
My guess is the Hunter Family’s strategic thinking is simply this: Dad’s not gonna run; Son can win the seat.
Not a bad strategy, in actuality.
That said, here’s yesterday’s news from the The Hill:
Rep. Duncan Hunter will not seek reelection
By Betsy Rothstein
March 20, 2007
White House hopeful Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) will not seek reelection next year as his 30-year-old son prepares to mount a race for his father’s seat.
Duncan D. Hunter, the lawmaker’s son, confirmed late Tuesday that the 110th Congress will be his father’s last.
The younger Hunter, who is working on his father’s presidential campaign, is in Washington this week.
Rep. Hunter’s office confirmed his retirement from Congress. “My understanding is yes. Congressman Hunter does not intend to run for two offices simultaneously and presently does not intend to seek reelection in the 52nd congressional district,” said spokesman Joe Kasper.
Hunter is the only lawmaker running for president who has announced his retirement from Congress.
Until 2005, Duncan D. Hunter was in the U.S. Marine Corps. About a month ago, he says, he moved to Lakeside, an unincorporated area of San Diego. Before that, he lived in Oklahoma, Virginia, Camp Pendleton and Iraq twice.
Once out of the Marines, he says, he moved to Idaho for a year to build homes. Hunter added that he went to high school in San Diego, and graduated from San Diego State University.
Hunter says he will soon formally announce his candidacy, but not on April Fool’s Day. “Not April 1 of course,” he said, laughing. “Maybe a day after.”
Hunter is not necessarily alone in the race to replace his father in the conservative district. Radio host Mark Larson has been meeting with campaign experts to determine his chances.
Hunter said he never intended to go into politics, but had “a change of heart” during his second tour in Iraq. “America is a country worth sacrificing for,” he said, adding that he wanted to “serve the country in other aspects besides the military.”
Hunter insisted that he would not think of his father’s seat as something that was automatically his. “Dad always said there’s no hand me downs in anything. This is going to be a race just like any other race and it’s going to be a hard fight.”
He said he enjoys working on his father’s campaign before he starts his own. “Let’s put it this way, the price is right. I’m a very good volunteer.”
My prior posts on the 52nd:
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Who wants to finish second in the GOP primary for the 52nd???
Where do I sign-up for support for Duncan II?
Rick Winet
March 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I think you should run Barry. We need fresh blood and sound Republican values – not a dynasty of the same old right-wing brainlessness we have had for too long in East County.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Barry congratulations on being around the game a while and still being able to see that an honorable man often is and does just what he says.”no forked tongue ”