SAN DIEGO -- Saying that he believed it was "the right thing to do for our country," 13-term Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter announced Monday he is preparing to make a run for president.

In a news conference at the Broadway Street pier with the USS Midway floating museum looming in the background, Hunter told an audience of about 160 supporters, reporters and perhaps 30 opponents that he believes his record on national security, strengthening the nation's borders and protecting jobs make him a good choice.

"As I finish my final two years as chairman of the Armed Services Committee and serve you, I am also going to be preparing to run for president of the United States in 2008," Hunter said.

Contrary to the naysayers, Hunter said, Republicans -- in the face of daunting challenges -- have done a good job leading the country over the past several years. Not only have they succeeded in creating 3.9 million jobs since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but "this Republican Congress and this president built the strongest military in the history of the world."

First elected to Congress in 1980, Hunter serves as chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, which oversees a $523 billion defense budget.

After the El Cajon lawmaker's announcement, a man who opposes Hunter said he believed it was preposterous for Hunter to even think about running for president.

"He's the only man in the United States that would actually make a worse president than Bush," said San Diego resident Mac Duncan. The 42- year-old man was carrying a sign showing his support for Democrat John Rinaldi, the man who is challenging Hunter for his 52nd District congressional seat on Nov. 7.

Asked when he had made his decision, Hunter would only say that he has been considering a run at the presidency for a long time. His wife Lynne said he first spoke with her about it recently.

"About two months ago, he asked what I thought about (him) running," she said. "I said, 'Are you sure you want to? and then I said, 'Let's go for it.'"

Contact staff writer William Finn Bennett at (760)740-5426, or wbennett@nctimes.com. To comment, go to nctimes.com.