Appearing before the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, Hunter sought to wrap himself in former President Reagan's mantle. He touted his credentials as a defense hawk and foe of China's trade practices and reminded party activists of his efforts to further fence the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a morning appearance in a ballroom two-thirds full, Hunter, R-Alpine, led a parade of GOP presidential candidates who later addressed overflow crowds, including front-runners Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, and Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts.

Arizona Sen. John McCain was the only major contender not in attendance.

Hunter used the opportunity to advertise his third-place finish in a straw poll Thursday of Republican activists in South Carolina's Spartanburg County. A Hunter campaign aide, citing returns from the local GOP organization, said McCain garnered 164 votes, two ballots ahead of Giuliani, while Hunter finished with 158 votes.

In his speech, Hunter portrayed himself as an underdog taking on better-financed rivals.

Hunter remains largely unknown to Republicans nationwide. He is placing heavy emphasis on South Carolina, where Republicans will vote next year in an early primary election after the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

Hunter, who was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee until Democrats seized control of Congress in November, credited Reagan's policy of “peace through strength” with winning the Cold War.

He pledged yesterday to “junk the bad trade deal” America has with China, which he has accused of devaluing its currency to make goods cheaper in the United States.