A Republican on the TCU campus might not usually turn heads, but tomorrow could be an exception as presidential candidate Duncan Hunter will be speaking to the TCU community for this semester’s “Rights, Responsibilities and Respect” theme.Hunter is a Republican candidate for the presidency in 2008 and a congressman representing the 52nd District of California, a position he has held since 1980.
The event was organized by the TCU Center for Civic Literacy.
The center’s director, Donald Jackson, a political science professor, said a general request was put out to the Tarrant County Democratic and Republican parties for a presidential candidate looking for a public appearance opportunity. Hunter at this point is the only candidate to respond.
Associate director for education and professor of political science Eric Cox said, “We are making it possible for presidential candidates to speak here, but we are not endorsing any candidates.”
One stipulation for candidates wanting to speak at the university was their time could not be used to raise funds.
“Any candidate is welcome to come address TCU as long as the event is not a fundraising event,” Cox said.
Jackson said presidential candidates were invited to speak because it is important for students to be exposed to as many different candidates as possible.
“I think presidential candidates from both parties are important people,” Jackson said.
Hunter will be speaking about the semester’s theme and issues facing America.
Cox said students need to make an informed choice with the presidency and seeing a candidate speak is an avenue toward this decision.
“One of the best ways to begin to inform yourself is to hear the words of the candidates rather than listening to what people say about the candidates,” Cox said.
Hunter, throughout his political career, has made securing the U.S. and Mexico border a main concern. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Hunter led efforts to patch holes in the border fence. These efforts resulted in the construction of 59 miles of fencing across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, according to his Web site.
Hunter introduced the Right to Life Act, which, according to his Web site, would legally define “personhood” as the moment of conception, guaranteeing all constitutional rights to the unborn.
Another issue stressed by Hunter is military strength. Hunter has been a member of the House Armed Services Committee throughout his congressional career. In 2003, Hunter became chairman of the full committee, overseeing an $500 billion defense budget, according to the House of Representatives’ Web site.
“I believe in peace through strength,” Hunter said on his Web site. “I believe in a policy that supports U.S. interests by spreading freedom within the limits of U.S. capability.”
Hunter also said America’s success depends upon the nation’s ability to obtain and use reliable data. He holds the fact that America has not been attacked since 9/11 as evidence that the nation is on the right course, according to his campaign site.
