Tancredo reluctantly offers hand to former foe McCain

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

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Tancredo said to himself, "Can I really do this?"

Add another reluctant supporter to the list backing Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain: Colorado's Rep. Tom Tancredo.

Tancredo, who once told a national television audience he was "sick and tired" of having to choose between the lesser of two evils, said Thursday he'll go ahead and back his longtime immigration-reform foe, McCain, because he thinks either of the Democratic alternatives would be worse.

"Sometimes I say to myself, 'Can I really do this?' " Tancredo said of supporting McCain. "And then you listen to Obama or Hillary and say, 'Yeah, I have to.' "

Tancredo, a hard-line opponent of illegal immigration, launched his long-shot presidential bid, in part, because he said he wanted to stop the Republican nomination from going to McCain, chief backer of a proposed guest-worker plan that Tancredo equated to "amnesty" for people who entered the country illegally.

They had a few verbal skirmishes on the campaign trail. And at a televised debate from Michigan in October, when McCain was still trying to get his comeback off the ground, Tancredo was asked if he would pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee no matter who it was.

"You know, I've said I don't know how many times, that I am absolutely tired and sick and tired of being forced to go to the polls and say I'm going to make this choice between the lesser of two evils. I really don't intend to do that again," he said, according to a Wall Street Journal transcript. "I am hoping, of course, that whoever we nominate will be the principled flag carrier for the Republican Party. But if that is not the case, no, then I will not support them."

Given that statement, the Rocky Mountain News this week asked Tancredo if he might back a possible Libertarian Party entrant, former Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia, whose voting record on immigration issues is similar to Tancredo's.

Despite Barr's immigration stands, Tancredo said he could not support him because of his foreign policy stands, including "a blind spot on radical Islam." He added that he believes Barr's candidacy is a serious threat to Republican chances in November, because it could siphon off conservative voters who are skeptical of McCain.

Tancredo said he's not endorsing McCain, just "supporting" his general election candidacy.

And what's the difference? "The distinction is that one implies a little more enthusiasm," Tancredo said.

If nothing else, he said McCain has acknowledged getting the message from voters that they want the U.S. borders secured and existing laws enforced before anyone considers more comprehensive immigration reform.

McCain still has an uphill climb to get another Republican presidential rival on his side: Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

• April 7, 2008

  9:57 a.m.

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  Brittanicus writes:

  We must be careful who we vote for, because a few Republicans have been brain washed by the globalist elites. There agenda is simple? Open borders so the free movement of cheap labor. Rep. Tancredo over the years have opened the public eyes to the menace to our sovereignty.

  We are receiving pure propaganda, spin or rhetoric of from the pro-illegal immigrant zealots. Read the forums, bulletin boards and comments? You will quickly learn that predator employers are hiring illegal immigrants, because its cheaper and they don't have to pay out of their profits. Not only are illegals stealing African-Americans jobs, but all of our citizens. They are taking the jobs of a wide spectrum of American workers, with no consequences. That is why we must enact the Federal SAVE ACT and stop this travesty of our immigration laws. Democrat lawmakers are the real culprits, because their holding back their vote in Congress. They know that the new president will sign into law a massive AMNESTY, giving the 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

  America cannot afford to enact another AMNESTY? The ramifications are unthinkable on each states economy? Taxpayers will have to support even more illegal immigrants as the word gets out and millions more will pour into our nation.

  Keep calling your Congressmen today to co-author THE SAVE ACT! Toll free numbers include 18778516437 and 18662200044, or call toll 12022243121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at ongoing efforts to keep our country from enforcing its immigration laws!