Talk hosts will emcee Tancredo fundraiser

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 9, 2007 at midnight

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Rep. Tom Tancredo's talk radio buddies are about to give his White House ambitions an off-the-air boost.

Conservative talkers Peter Boyles and Robert "Gunny Bob" Newman will share the emcee duties at a Feb. 25 fundraiser for Tancredo's newly-formed presidential exploratory committee, Tancredo for a Secure America.

"He doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell, but what he can do is affect a platform of their (Republican) ticket on illegal immigration," Boyles said in an interview Thursday.

The event is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 25, at Cool River Café in Greenwood Village. Invitations list the cost as $50 per person or $75 per family, with proceeds going to the committee. Co-host Mort Marks, a longtime Republican booster, said fundraising is secondary and people can attend without donating.

"We'd of course like to raise money," said Marks. "What we really want to do on this day is have a huge turnout and have people discuss with Tom: should he go all the way?"

Boyles said he agreed to appear at an event to "help Tom," but he did not know it would benefit the presidential committee until a reporter read him the invitation. "I've never been shy about backing Tom's politics," Boyles said.

Gunny Bob said he wants Tancredo to run — and win.

"My message is, let's see what a maverick can do," he said. "I'd feel very comfortable. Given who's in the race for Republicans, I'd like to see Tom Tancredo in there. I want to see him win."

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