Tancredo sets goal for Iowa GOP straw poll: at least fifth

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 17, 2007 at midnight

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U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo has set a new benchmark in his uphill race for the White House, but he said it's too early to say what will happen if the goal isn't met.

Tancredo, of Littleton, said Wednesday he's hoping to rank at least fifth in the Iowa Republican Party's straw poll on Aug. 11 - or else it could become difficult to continue his campaign.

Tancredo is still trying to pass the 1 percent mark in national polls, but he thinks a recent four-day swing through Iowa has boosted his chances in the state that will cast the first official votes at precinct caucuses in January.

Meanwhile, he was upbeat after Tuesday night's 10-candidate Republican debate on Fox News, where he got to talk about his crusade against illegal immigration.

He also scored morning news attention for his quips about fellow candidates' hard-line "conversions" on the "road to Des Moines."

And he stirred the pot - and won some applause from a Republican-leaning crowd - with his controversial interpretation of the Muslim faith and by questioning whether humans are really responsible for global warming.

For all the candidates, the straw poll in Ames will be a critical test. It's essentially a fundraiser for the Iowa GOP, where candidates encourage their supporters to show up and cast ballots in a nonbinding but closely watched popularity contest.

Tancredo, still ranked near the bottom of the crowded field, said he hopes to finish at least fifth.

If he ranks much lower than that, he said, "What would happen is it would certainly affect our ability to continue - not necessarily my desire, but my ability. It would affect perhaps fundraising, and with that goes your ability to continue."

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