That would make one (Count him. One.) real conservative in the race.

AP: Calif. Rep. Hunter considering 2008 presidential run

SAN DIEGO - Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter (news, bio, voting record), known in the military's echelon for his congressional role but hardly a national name, said Monday he was taking the initial step in a 2008 presidential bid.

"This is going to be a long road, it's a challenging road, there's going to be some rough and tumble, but I think it's the right thing to do for our country," Hunter, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said at a waterfront news conference.

The declaration to form an exploratory committee allows the 13-term California congressman to begin raising money and organize supporters in early Republican primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Hunter is a familiar face on Capitol Hill and at the
Pentagon as chairman of the powerful panel that oversees military policy. Not so beyond Washington and San Diego, and his White House bid surprised many Republicans.

He had not been on any list of potential 2008 candidates that included more familiar names such as Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Isn't it strange how the AmericaLast media thinks only Repansycans are serious contenders for the Republican nomination?