Live Blogging Duncan Hunter on Lou Dobbs

Caught this one by chance, just flipping through the news stations.

Hunter joined Duncan Hunter in studio to talk about the NAFTA Trucking Act of 2007, which tries to address the scourge of Mexican trucks. Hunter immediately went into the specifics of Mexican trucks offloading, and how this act prevents it. The act calls for mandatory driving records exchange with Mexico. Dobbs went after NAFTA, and said September 11 nearly changed that.

Hunter talked about bringing back Reagan Democrats, by building up the middle class, especially manufacturing. Hunter also said Mexico and Canada ought stand with us in the next war America enters into - and commented that it was a shame they were not in Iraq, which even Dobbs was stunned at, considering Iraq was a war of choice. (no matter what you think of it, saying that Mexico and Canada must go to war with America because of NAFTA is a pretty extreme position.)

Dobbs segued into debate on Ramos and Compean, Hunter mentioned his legislation to get a pardon has 94 co-sponsors. Dobbs went into Atty. Gen. Gonzalez; Hunter said an investigation into Gonzalez’ behavior on the two would be OK. Hunter went immediately into saying that a fence ought be built. Hunter and Dobbs then talked about Chertoff and the difference between a virtual fence and a real fence on the border; both preferred a fence. Hunter wrapped up by saying that he put the language in bills that made the San Diego border fence be built.

Analysis: Hunter sounded like a Congressional expert on the topic, not especially Presidential.  Don’t get me wrong - he had a great command of details, but he did not tie them into themes; Dobbs did that for him. Carl Levin was on the show immediately before him, and if anything, Levin came off as more presidential. Hunter talked so quickly that I’m sure I missed a lot of what he said above, even in a five minute interview.

That being said, Hunter did a fine job selling his experience and expertise on NAFTA and immigration. For the type of people that watch Lou Dobbs, this appearance might be more of a helpful evaluation interview on an issue that they think is important. It will probably by appearing soon on Youtube and can be something Hunter can point to as his stance on a subject.

Grade: B. He didn’t sound presidential; he rushed through what he had to say to hit his talking points, sometimes wildly. But on the positive side, he got his points across.