Nevada Republican Assembly Endorses Duncan Hunter

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Even though Duncan Hunter is not in the New Hampshire debates does not mean Reagan conservative Republicans have forgotten him. This weekend, Duncan Hunter's leadership in protecting our borders, fighting Islamic terrorism, supporting our military, addressing illegal immigration problems and promoting pro-life legislation resonated with Nevada conservative republicans.

The Nevada Republican Assembly (NVRA) Endorsing Convention met over the weekend in Reno, Nevada. The NVRA delegates represented the local NVRA chapter members.On Sunday, after five ballot rounds, delegates endorsed Duncan Hunter for the Republican Presidential nomination. To be endorsed a candidate must receive over 66 percent of the delegates votes.

On Saturday, the NVRA also held an open public fund raising straw poll was help. Anyone could come pay their $10 and cast a vote for a Republican presidential candidate. Various campaigns encouraged their members to come and cast a vote in the straw poll. Ron Paul with 44 percent won the straw poll vote.

The NVRA endorsement process on Sunday, could be a picture of what could happen at the 2008 RNC convention. At theIn the initial round of voting delegates cast votes for six republican presidential candidates. By round three, only two candidates remained: Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter. After continued discussions between delegates and two more rounds of voting by secret ballot, Duncan Hunter received 80 percent of the delegate votes and was thus endorsed by the Nevada Republican Assemblies. The NVRA delegates sent a message that they were not going to be swayed the media or by a populace message.

With daily reports on candidates and their campaigns, most people are unaware that it is not caucuses, primaries or the news media that make the selection of a party's presidential nominee. The selection is made by the party delegates at the respective national party conventions. And in a year with many candidates the convention selection process can be both exciting and complex. Candidates often lacking a majority of delegates and cannot be selected on the first or second round of voting, Aftr these votes, delegates are often released or even opt to vote for whom ever they wish. Then the hard work begin.

Even candidates with less delegates may be put forth as a candidate of choice. A significant historical precedence was at the 1880 Republican National Convention. James A. Garfield was not running for president and attended the convention to support John Sherman for president. With difficulty in determining a candidate, people put forth Garfield and on the 36th ballot Garfield was nominated with virtually all of delegates for two other candidates breaking ranks to vote for the "dark horse" nominee. Some conservatives consider that Rep. Duncan Hunter may become yet another historically selected "dark horse" presidential candidate.

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