Hunter to Media: You “Arrogant Knucklehead”
EmailABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Congressman Duncan Hunter enticed reporters to a press conference this afternoon by proclaiming he had a "major announcement" about his beleaguered campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
But he did not — as was implied by "major announcement" — drop out.
The Republican Congressman from California went on a tirade in Manchester, N.H. on Monday about the "knucklehead" corporate media executives, specifically at ABC News and Fox News, who kept him out of debates on Saturday (ABC News/Facebook/WMUR) and Sunday (Fox News) here in New Hampshire. He used the word knucklehead about 15 times.
"What burden have you borne?" he asked. Hunter, who served in the Army during Vietnam and whose son is a Marine, also proclaimed, "how many children have you sent to the theaters of war in Afghanistan and Iraq?"
Hunter complained that while he was barred from the ABC News and Fox News debate, he got 8 percent of the vote at the caucus in Wyoming on January 5th. So while neither Arizona Sen. John McCain nor former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has any official delegates in the Republican Primary, Hunter does.
"Last time I checked one is more than zero," he said.
Both McCain and Giuliani poll much higher than Hunter nationally, where Hunter barely registers, as well as in primary and early caucus states.
ABC News required candidates taking part in their debate in New Hampshire to register at five percent support in in one of eight scientific polls, or to place 4th in the Iowa caucus in order to participate. This allowed Congressman Ron Paul, R-Tex., to take part in ABC News’ debate, but not in Fox’s "forum," where candidates needed at least 10 percent support in national polling.
Hunter said he is more qualified than any of the other Republican candidates when it comes to foreign policy. Hunter is a former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. McCain would have chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee in 2007 if Republicans had not lost control of Congress in 2006. Both men are now the ranking members of their respective committees.
"I am not going to let some arrogant knucklehead executive in a glass office 10 stories above a mall in New York City decide the outcome of this election," Hunter said. "That is for the voters of New Hampshire to decide."
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Dear Duncan Hunter,
This post about your little tirade looked so sad it reminded me of your candidacy. Then I saw it didn’t even have a single comment! I decided this was my opportunity – I’d add my two cents, and finally I would be able to relate to what it must feel like to be one of your supporters:
Really,
really
lonely.
Posted by: Max | January 7, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Interesting avant-garde touch leaving editorial notes in the article. Tre New Wave.
Posted by: ElodieStClair | January 7, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
GO Hunter….
Way to go, it is time to take it to the media and their candidates!
abc and fox news are illegitimate!!!
People who support Hunter, support a candidate that stands firm on the issues, not some one who has to explain away how their positions have evolved for political expediency or political convenience.
Hunter is in it to win it.
The media ia irrelevant and illegitimate.
Go Hunter!
Posted by: cory s newton | January 7, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
First, let me state for the record that I am not a Hunter supporter. HOWEVER, the media have NO RIGHT to exclude him , or any other candidate that has “paid the price of admission” from any debates. The media do not own the airwaves (the public does), and they should not get to dictate what we get to hear or not hear when it comes to news.Duncan Hunter is a candidate for President as a member of the Rebublican Party (as is Ron Paul) , and as such should have the same access to the American people that other candidates do. It bothers me that more people are not mad about this-perhaps Hunter’s use of the “knucklehead” label could be expanded to much of the public too.
Posted by: Kurt | January 7, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
I don’t know much about Duncan Hunter. But I am tired of the politics of exclusion–especially in the primaries, which are uniquely American. The primaries are designed to be a long haul, in which candidates are required to show their party members that they can truly apapeal to all the different geopolitical segments of the country, in preparation for a General Election campaign. I cringed at the ‘super-sized’ primary date manipulations that will limit voter’s choices to well-funded establishment candidates. Just four years ago, we saw an ‘entitled’ candidate succumb to the pressures of the primaries and give up with a primal scream. Sixteen years ago we saw a guy lose the first four or five primaries, but emerge as his party’s choice–and our President. Now, we are seeing the fall of two top early-pollers–one in each party. But now, after only two caucuses, voters are prevented from hearing alternative voices–legitimate, registered candidates–because some networks presume to tell us who should be heard. Poll numbers change daily–sometimes, dramatically. Basing a debate invitation on last week’s poll is both factually and ethically wrong.
Posted by: SteveW | January 7, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
As a supporter of presidential candidate, Duncan Hunter, I was disappointed to find he was not invited (allowed?) to participate in the weekend debates. I have been unable to watch previous debates due to my schedule and was looking forward to hearing his viewpoints and getting a feel for his demeanor.
I realize that Congressman Hunter had minimal voter representation in Iowa and Wyoming, but I am confused as to how/why the turnout of one or two caucuses would then preclude him, or any other candidate, from further participation in broadcast debate when news networks should ideally be impartial. To me, it seems reasonable to provide equal opportunity for network exposure to a willing candidate regardless of preliminary election, monetary support, or any other factor.
Knowing that a major drive of a news network is to build ratings, I think it would be important to consider viewers who are interested in an objective and well-rounded presentation of news events. Much of the public looks to the televised debates to help them better understand a candidate’s views, plans, and ability to communicate effectively. In my opinion, when a news network seemingly picks “favorites” and essentially ousts a viable candidate(s) in such a premature fashion, it is sacrificing its desired reputation as an impartial dispenser of the facts.
Posted by: Bethany L. Lawson | January 7, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
Duncan Hunter was in our community( Flint, MI) in November and our local ABC station and local paper failed to even show up & cover the event. The media should not be limiting what candidates we have access to, but reporting on all candidates & letting all candidates participate in the debates. Shame on ABC & Fox News.
Posted by: MG | January 7, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
I’m from San Diego, and I can say from personal experience that Duncan Hunter has just brought new definition to the phrase “the pot calling the kettle black.”
Posted by: JE | January 7, 2008, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm