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Tancredo's TV ad doesn't pull punches

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 5, 2007 at 12:30 a.m.

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Tancredo's ad focuses on "Central American gangs now on U.S. soil" as seen in this frame grab. To view the ad go to RockyMountainNews.com and go to Extras on the top right of the home page.

Photo by Photo From Advertisement / The Rocky

Tancredo's ad focuses on "Central American gangs now on U.S. soil" as seen in this frame grab. To view the ad go to RockyMountainNews.com and go to Extras on the top right of the home page.

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Rep. Tom Tancredo is using more shocking images - including bloody pictures of gangland executions - in his newest television ad in the Republican presidential contest.

The spot unveiled Tuesday, titled Consequences, focuses on "vicious Central American gangs now on U.S. soil" - a result he blames on "gutless politicians" who refuse to crack down on illegal immigration.

After showing gruesome pictures of dead bodies lined up following gang-style executions, the ad's text says:

"Pushing Drugs. Raping Kids. Destroying Lives. The Consequences of Open Borders . . ."

There's nothing subtle there, and this type of ad is becoming the hallmark of Tancredo's longshot campaign.

He ranked seventh with 6 percent in the last Des Moines Register poll of likely Iowa caucus participants.

"It's strong, I know . . . but there's no way to sugarcoat it," Tancredo told the Des Moines Register.

His previous ad, which included more gruesome photographs and the sounds of a bomb exploding as the punch line, was dismissed by some as "pandering at its worst," "indecent exposure," or a scare tactic being used by a candidate who's going nowhere.

The newest television advertisement is likely to be no less controversial.