We ran across an article about Rep. Duncan Hunter that talks about his steadfast support for enforcement of trade laws, a crack down on foreign nations thats abuse their trade relations, and the systematic destruction of our manufacturing base.  Hunter’s position on this issue is not new.  Before he was a candidate, his PAC was running ads on this issue in SC.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

However, his most controversial philosophy concerns fair and equitable foreign trade.

This disturbs some Republicans. They misunderstand his attitude as being protectionist. It is not. Hunter believes “American workers are the most productive and innovative labor force in the world. Unfortunately, they are asked to compete in an unfair environment against other workers who make only a fraction of a living wage and are employed by companies that face few, if any, responsibilities to the environment or the long-term prospects of their employees. Our domestic manufacturers are forced to compete against foreign companies that benefit from their country’s currency and regulatory regimes.”

 

This is not protectionism. He is for fair trade. He does not want to prevent cheaper, superior, foreign products from being sold in the U.S. He does want to prevent subsidized foreign products from being sold here, while American products are prevented from being sold there.

When he speaks about trade, he alludes to the days when America was the Arsenal of Democracy, saying, “(During WWII) our manufacturing base made more than: … 2.4 million vehicles; 36 billion yards of cloth; … 41 billion rounds of ammunition … our industrial base, was important to collapsing the Soviet Empire … because it provided the strength in Ronald Reagan’s stand against the forces of evil.”

Comparing then to now, he make his most salient point, “Today my friends, the Arsenal of Democracy is being pulled away. Massive production of textiles, steel and machine tools are no longer found in South Carolina, or Ohio, or Pennsylvania, nor dozens of other states. … as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, when I sent my team to get more steel to protect troops against roadside bombs in Iraq, they found only one company in the U.S. making armor plate grade steel … When a Swiss company cut off the critical component for our smart bombs only one U.S. company remained which could supply it … if you want to find where our Arsenal of Democracy has gone, you must look in places like … China.”

In looking at Hunter’s expectations beating performances in the straw polls in Spartanburg, SC and in Maricopa, AZ, one must wonder about the secret to his success.  Could it be that Hunter’s focus on blue collar issues that affect voters everyday lives is resonating in the core of Republican voters? 

Ask almost any citizen in South Carolina about job loss in the manufacturing sector and you will undoubtedly get a personal story about an immediate family member or friend, rather than a statistical analysis.  The fair trade issue is real in this state.  The issue hits home.  Perhaps there is a correlation between Hunter’s focus on kitchen table issues and his recent successes.

Hunter still has many mountains to climb to be considered a top tier candidate;  money being his Everest.  However, it is an interesting dynamic to watch unfold.