"Bill Hunt's Remarkable Rise" (from OC Weekly)

Yesterday (4/1/2010), R. Scott Moxley of OC Weekly wrote about "Bill Hunt's Remarkable Rise". Moxley does a pretty fair job of covering Hunt’s rise since his first run in 2006 up to recent events but he fails to paint the whole picture. What is missing is how Hunt was able to garner the level of support he has now. To understand his "remarkable rise" one has to go back at least to Hunt's high school days when he knew he wanted to be a lawman. He sketched out a plan and he began pursuing his dream. Since he knew he had to be 21 to be a California peace officer, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and became a military police officer. I believe it was this experience which helped Hunt develop his leadership skills. Make no mistake; you don’t just wake up as a leader and simply lead. It takes training, practice, skill, and the desire to lead. Leaders are motivated from within, perhaps by some higher calling, hence they are passionate.

What Moxley saw at the Young Republican’s event was Hunt’s natural enthusiasm and skillful execution of his well developed platform on protecting OC constituent’s Constitutional rights. By simply stating that Hunt can give a raw-raw speech and “returned to fertile turf” when he continues to talk about protecting our Constitutional rights from overreaching federal agents ignores the fact that the audience, residents, and voters all have substantial and genuine concerns which, to date, only Hunt has embraced. The other candidates, Hunter and Hutchens, have held to the premise that a do-nothing sheriff is better than one who will protect their constituent’s rights by challenging federal laws that ignore the California Constitution. Moxley reports that, “One attendee, who had told me he was undecided before the forum, said he’ll vote for Hunt. ‘[Hutchens] is too wishy-washy,’ concluded the man, who described himself as a retired advertising executive. ‘Hunter has some good experience in Anaheim, but I got the feeling he also has a chip on his shoulder. Hunt impressed me the most. He doesn’t seem afraid to do the job right.’” This advertising exec discovered in one brief evening with the candidates what the media and a handful of local pundits seem to have missed.

Hunts critics enjoy using the “racist” tag on Hunt because of his alignment and endorsement from Arizona sheriff, Joe Arpaio and the fact that calling someone a racist is a powerfull charge that is sure to get headlines. Being fixated on shaming the audience, Hunter pulled the race card on Hunt. Moxley says, “Hunt’s alignment with Arpaio prompted Hunter to call the Arizona sheriff ‘an overzealous . . . racist.’ The crowd booed again, and Hunt pounced. ‘You call Joe Arpaio a racist?’ he said. ‘That’s what happens when a sheriff stands up and does his duty!’” There is the difference between a leader and a manager.

As Hunt’s campaign continues, I believe we will see some expansion on how Bill Hunt plans to safeguard ALL of our rights, not just the ones that are popular in some communities.

(Don't worry, it's our little secret)