Tancredo plans trip to Miami

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 11, 2006 at midnight

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Rep. Tom Tancredo is packing his bags to visit what he considers a "Third World country:" Miami.

Tancredo, R-Littleton, created one of his patented firestorms in recent weeks when, at a conservative gathering in Florida, he told an interviewer that parts of Miami resemble a "Third World country."

That touched off a public spat with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and others, and it led to an invitation for Tancredo to address the local Rotary Club on Thursday afternoon in Key Biscayne.

Tancredo spokesman Carlos Espinosa said Tancredo planned to give a speech on the importance of assimilation for immigrants.

Protesters recently crashed a Tancredo appearance at Michigan State University, and the speech was interrupted by a noisy fire alarm.

Espinosa said Tancredo wasn't worried about whatever reception he will get in the Miami area.

"Not at all. I think the vast majority of people agree with him on this stuff," Espinosa said.

Meanwhile, any protests or controversy will only draw more attention to the event, he said.

"It's always entertaining. It'll add to the flair of Miami," Espinosa said. "I really do hope we get some protesters. Otherwise, what else are we going for?"

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