Hunter’s FL Campaign Chief Backs Huckabee

Here is a letter written by Chuck Winn who served as Duncan Hunter’s Florida Chief of Staff until the congressman dropped out of the race and endorsed Mike Huckabee this week.

Congressman Hunter’s decision to withdraw from the Presidential race was disappointing, but I will always be proud to have served as his campaign’s Florida Chief of Staff. He boldly warned that the hemorrhaging of jobs and technology to China was eroding the economic component of American National power. He also warned that protecting jobs and in U.S. defense, aircraft, ship repair, machine tools, textile, steel, titanium and information technology industries are essential for maintaining our wartime surge capacity. He led the fight for securing our borders and ending the assault on America’s middle class by unchecked illegal immigration.

Significantly, the Congressman did not endorse his Armed Services Committee counterpart in the Senate, and fellow Vietnam Veteran John McCain. Having full confidence in Duncan’s judgment, I must conclude there is a valid reason. Governor Romney's obviously did not sufficiently responded to Duncan's appeal to have him influence the Bain Corporation to drop its strategic partnership with Chinese defense contractor Huawei Technologies in a bid to buy U.S. defense contractor 3Com. Mayor Giuliani maintains his liberal positions on social issues.

Congressman Hunter introduced me to Governor Mike Huckabee at the Univision GOP Candidate’s Forum in Miami, where he made an impressive performance. I had concerns over several of his controversial decisions as Arkansas’ Governor, but he has demonstrated the ability to change course and grow. Duncan Hunter has endorsed him as the “most strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America’s industrial base.” I share that view and urge you to vote for Governor Huckabee on January 29th.

Charles J. Winn
Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret)
Stuart, FL 34994