http://www.eitb24.com/portal/eitb24/notici...ional&idioma=enRepublican Duncan Hunter to run for president in 200810/30/2006
Hunter, who has represented the San Diego area district for 26 years, announced the surprise bid at a news conference in front of supporters on the San Diego waterfront.
Ducan Hunter and Dick Cheney (photo: www.house.gov/hunter)Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Monday he was taking the initial step in a bid for the presidency in 2008.
Hunter, who has represented the San Diego area district for 26 years, announced the surprise bid at a news conference in front of supporters on the San Diego waterfront.
Hunter said that as he finishes his final two years in the House of Representatives, "I'm also going to prepare to run for president of the United States in 2008.''
"This is going to be a long road, it's a challenging road, there's goingto be some rough and tumble, but I think it's the right thing to do for our country,'' Hunter said.
The declaration to form an exploratory committee allows the California congressman to begin raising money and organise supporters in early Republican primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Hunter's bid surprised some Republican leaders in Washington. He had not been discussed as one of the many candidates considering a presidential bid, including Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Awarded the Bronze Star medal
Hunter, 58, became chairman of the House Armed Services Committee in 2003 - a position he would lose should Democrats take control of the House after the Nov. 7 midterm election. By making an announcement now, he can begin raising money while still heading the committee.
The Vietnam War veteran, the recipient of a Bronze Star medal, has made his mark in Congress by advocating for a strong military and border security.
He played a leading role in the construction of a 14-mile (22.5-kilometer) double fence on the U.S.-Mexico border that is nearing completion in San Diego. e co-authored legislation signed by President George W. Bush last week that would extend the border fence to 700 miles (1,100 kilometres).
Hunter voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Central American Free Trade Agreement and opposed most-favoured-nation trading status for China. This year, he was a vocal critic of a deal that gave a Dubai company control of some operations at six American ports.
Hunter has cruised to re-election since he, as a 32-year-old criminal defence attorney, rode Ronald Reagan's coattails to unseat a nine-term Democratic incumbent. The Riverside native faces token opposition next week in his bid for another term representing San Diego's eastern suburbs.