13 up-and-comers in the '08 class
By CHARLES MAHTESIAN | 1/6/09 4:28 AM EST
It’s far too early to know if the House Class of 2008 will have a collective identity, like the Watergate babies of 1974 or the revolutionary Republicans of 1994. With 55 members, the group elected in November is considerably smaller than those famed classes, and the 33 Democrats and 22 Republicans as yet don’t appear to have any central organizing ideology.
But already, more than a few characters on both sides of the aisle are attracting notice, some for their unique backstories, some for their quick rise and others as players to watch in the future.
Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)
At a time when the number of military veterans is in decline in Congress, Republican Duncan Hunter brings a unique perspective to the Iraq war debate. It's not just that he's the namesake of the former House Armed Services Committee chairman. Rather, it’s his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan that sets him apart from his congressional colleagues.
He joined the Marine Corps after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and served two tours in Iraq, where he fought in the battle of Fallujah in 2004. After an honorable discharge, he joined the Reserves, which led to more combat duty, this time in Afghanistan. His wife Margaret ended up campaigning for him for several months in his San Diego-area district while he served abroad.
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