Tancredo's crusade isn't over
Retiring congressman plans to keep promoting his conservative causes
By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 25, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Photo by Kevin Wolf / Special To The Rocky
Rep. Tom Tancredo, in his office in the Rayburn House Office Building, doesn't plan to sit back when his term ends.
WASHINGTON - Take your pick: farewell or good riddance. But outgoing Rep. Tom Tancredo might not be leaving the political limelight for long.
"I'm not done with politics," the controversial, immigration-reform firebrand declared last week, sitting in a crowded cafeteria two floors below where his staff was packing up his old congressional office.
After five terms in Congress - two more than his discarded term-limits pledge - Tancredo said he's not finished making noise about conservative causes, including his crusade to stop illegal immigration.
That could mean working for an immigration-focused think tank. It could mean some talk radio work, or a behind-the-scenes role in Colorado Republican politics. Or it could mean throwing his hat into the ring for another campaign of his own - perhaps as early as 2010.
Though he doesn't have any firm plans, Tancredo took out his Blackberry and proudly displayed a note from one of his oldest friends telling him that family members already were working on a "Tancredo for Governor" campaign for 2010.
'Most alluring' option
He laughed about it but admitted it is the "most alluring" of any of the political possibilities.
Then again, Tancredo knows Democratic foes might be licking their chops, preparing to portray him as a xenophobe or, worse, too extreme to win a statewide office.
"Let me put it this way," Tancredo said. "If I were on the opposite side and a candidate like me were seeking office, and if I were advising his opponent, I'd be saying, 'Man, what a field day we would have . . . ' "
Such is the reputation Tancredo has built in his time as an admitted "bomb-throwing" back-bencher in Congress.
With the end of the lame-duck congressional session in Washington, D.C., Tancredo heads home not as some venerable elder statesman, not as a powerful committee chairman and not as a universally beloved figure - not even in his own Republican caucus.
But he's hardly anonymous, either.
His name has become a sort of shorthand within the national immigration debate, meaning one thing to his fans and another to his critics.
Stretching the limits
Google "Tancredo" and there are hundreds of articles that either credit him with advancing a hard-line position opposing illegal immigration or accuse him of intolerance that has made it harder for the Republican Party to claim its old "big-tent" credentials.
Either way, Tancredo and his defenders said they doubt the country would be talking about securing the U.S. borders and cracking down on illegal immigrants without his loud, incessant demands.
"I think of other members of Congress who accomplished great things legislatively because they were able to work the system, get on the right committees, kiss a lot of posterior," Tancredo said. "They were able to achieve positions of power and were able to do things in a legislative sense that changed a nation. There are relatively few of them, to tell you the truth . . . Most people go through here without making much of a dent, but when they're gone, you have to ask, 'Did it matter?' "
The way Tancredo figures it, someone had to stretch the "outer limit of the debate," to give other conservatives the cover to talk about the immigration-control issue while still arguing that at least they weren't as extreme as Tancredo.
"Look at all the latitude I've given them between the 50-yard line and where I set up the goal post," he said with a laugh.
But is that a legacy? One of his past opponents, Democrat Ken Toltz, doesn't think so.
"Over the years, Tancredo did succeed in escalating the rhetoric, making it more acceptable for like-minded talk radio and other media personalities to notch up the fear level to even greater heights," he said.
As for a legacy, "He and his immigration caucus accomplished nothing, other than leading his Republican colleagues over the cliff by their acceptance and adoption of overheated, confrontational rhetoric," Toltz said.
Ana Navarro, an adviser to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, told McClatchy Newspapers that overheated rants from Tancredo and others helped undo years of Republican Party efforts to reach out to Latino voters.
With all the focus on Tancredo's fiery immigration talk, some of his backers often complained that other parts of the congressman's agenda were ignored, such as his work on international issues or fighting bloated government.
"They didn't realize what I was trying to accomplish," Tancredo said. "I could not have done what I did on this without becoming a one-issue guy."
Advice for successor
Tancredo's 6th District seat is about to be filled by Secretary of State Mike Coffman, who's pledging to start his congressional career seeking more compromise than confrontation.
Still, Tancredo expects Coffman to be strong on immigration issues, although doesn't expect him to try to match his own fervor.
Tancredo's advice for Coffman is the same he tried to apply: "Find your niche. Be passionate."
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November 25, 2008
5:58 a.m.
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SanctuaryCity writes:
The new Senator of Colorado in 2010.
November 25, 2008
6:15 a.m.
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INC writes:
Didn't Tancredo Get the memo? the one from the Mexican consulate? Immigrants Illegal or otherwise are leaving in droves...
Oh yeah he considers them sub-human. Thus not worthy of listening to...
he lied about only serving two terms. What else does he lie about?
November 25, 2008
6:29 a.m.
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strohslite writes:
Tom Tancredo is an upstanding,honest, and hard working elected official. I have met with him numerous times and will continue to help him in his quest to end illegal immigration. Not once has he ever said anything about illegal aliens being subhuman.
November 25, 2008
6:32 a.m.
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Michael writes:
Thanks Tom for putting up the good fight. Thanks for bringing national attention to the issue of ILLEGAL immigration - not immigration - and the massive costs and social problems that it brings with it. The economic meltdown drove illegal immigration from the radar screens in this past election cycle - too bad. And even though the numbers say that this problem may be halting due to the slowdown, it is not going away.
Those of us with the ability to reason and look at this issue fairly understand that you are not a racist or a bigot, nor are those that support you. Those that want open borders and amnesty used that accusation as a cover because they could not or would not debate this issue on the facts, the law, and the reality of what happens when you allow 12 MILLION people to break into our country and most of them want nothing to do with being "American" or assimilating into our culture. All they want is a paycheck and to not have to follow our laws.
Keep up the good fight and best of luck.
November 25, 2008
6:32 a.m.
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d1234 writes:
Hey INC, because a politition goes back on a promise (wow, there's a concept) doesn't mean that we don't have an illegal alien problem. As the economy dips, I think that those who think that pickin canteloupe is beneath them, might find those jobs appealing. If someone is here illegally, they must go. I don't care if they have kids, a dog or have been here for 20 years. Longevity does not make legality. If someone emigrates to this country legally and is here to contribute, welcome. If you illegally come across a border, any border, get out!
November 25, 2008
6:34 a.m.
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Gonzopozo writes:
Looks like another Rush-Hannity-Rosen radio show clone.
How about the 2:00 AM slot on KOA?
November 25, 2008
6:50 a.m.
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Sixtysixdeuce writes:
Tancredo is one of the very few politicians cabable of speaking without lying. He has my vote, regardless of the office/seat he campaigns for.
He has repeatedly taken an overwhelming percentage of the votes in his district, which includes the 3 fastest growing (by a huge margin) counties in Colorado.
I think he'd have a pretty fair shot at the governor's mansion. As Obama won the presedential race because people are mad at GWB, Tancredo stands in stark contrast to Colorado's worthless and unpopular incumbent.
November 25, 2008
6:51 a.m.
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INC writes:
Modern politics is like driving a car with an automatic transmission... the "R" is for going backwards and the "D" is for going forwards...
Tancredo is definitely an "R" for going backwards.
November 25, 2008
6:59 a.m.
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slocatch writes:
I live in a inner city community in Denver and want to thank Tom for all he does. It will be very nice again when people have insurance to drive and when people walk on the sidewalks again without spitting. When spinners are replaced with scotts, and Federal Blvd. is not a token.
November 25, 2008
7 a.m.
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Rangerjoe1 writes:
God-Bless Tom Tancredos. The only Colorado politician that gave a dam# about the working familys of Colorado. Keep up the great fight. Run for any office I'd vote for you in a heart beat. And what article written by the Rocky, I quess Democrat Ken Toltz want all of Colorado's workers to work for slave wages. And got payoff from major corporate builders.
November 25, 2008
7:05 a.m.
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jay045 writes:
This crusader against illegal immigration got his basement remodeled on the backs of illegal immigrants. This from an old Denver Post article:
"When Tancredo hired a construction crew to transform his drab basement into a high-tech pleasure den in October 2001, however, he did not express concern that only two of its members spoke English. Nor did he bother to check the workers' documentation to see if they were legal residents of the United States. Had Tancredo done so, he would have learned that most of the crew consisted of undocumented immigrants, or "criminal aliens" as he likes to call them. Instead, Tancredo paid the crew $60,000 for its labor and waited innocently for the completion of his elaborate entertainment complex."
What did this crusading, honest man say about the situation: "Even if the workers were in the country illegally, "what is my responsibility at this point in time?" Tancredo said in a telephone interview from Washington. "I go to dinner at restaurants and probably have come into contact with people who are here illegally. I do not ask, of course. It is actually illegal and you can be sued."
Actually if he was so concerned and true to his principles, he could have asked the contractor for verification. But methinks cheap labor outweighs principles for Mr. Tancredo.
November 25, 2008
7:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
JonBen writes:
Why all this "he's honest," "at least he tells the truth," etc. nonsense about Tancredo?
The one time it actually COUNTED for anything, he BROKE HIS SOLEMN PROMISE!
He ran on a platform of term limits, back in 1998 when no one cared about illegal aliens. He SWORE that he'd serve only three terms in Congress. Then when it came time to keep his promise he BROKE IT.
Plain and simple: HE LIED. HE LIED. HE LIED!
What part of that don't you people understand?
Say whatever else you want about Tom Tancredo, but he is not trustworthy. He has not earned our trust. End of story.
November 25, 2008
7:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Salsmom writes:
Tom is truly the face of the republican party - get a wedge issue and see how far you can take it to carry you from one election to another. Guess Tom found out the repubs in the primary didn't care too much for his.
Two career options for Tom:
Co-host with the conspiracy theorist Peter Boyles or
Maybe there is a university or college in Colorado that needs a new CEO since this seems to be the career path for republican legislators.
November 25, 2008
8:08 a.m.
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JackieMC writes:
Thanks Mr. Tancredo for all you do! Looking forward to what comes next!
November 25, 2008
8:22 a.m.
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MBR693 writes:
INC writes:
"Modern politics is like driving a car with an automatic transmission... the "R" is for going backwards and the "D" is for going forwards..."
Yeah but too many of you are trying to go forward without knowing where you are going.
November 25, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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NQ writes:
If Tancredo (and all the people on this page trying to defend him) were to have spent time fighting the real cancer on our Nation -- trickle-down economics, de-regulation of wall street, $4 a gallon gas -- perhaps we wouldn't be in this economic mess. And since you seem to live in a bubble, I will let you in on a secret: We have only seen the tip of the failed right-wing economics iceberg. I pray that America is finally going to move forward for a better tomorrow, I hope we never hear from Tancredo and similar old-world thinkers again. Let their divisive, hateful and distract-from-what-matters thinking be an ugly foot note in history.
November 25, 2008
8:37 a.m.
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Michael writes:
NQ - Don't look now but it seems that Pres-elect Obama is listening to his economic team and he might just "get it" that lower taxes = economic growth A CONSERVATIVE, SUPPLY-SIDE DOCTRINE. I hope you weren't counting too much on the US becoming a socialist utopia anytime soon.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/fact_check...
November 25, 2008
8:44 a.m.
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opinionatedcolo writes:
Please oh please let the right wing of the Colorado Republican party take control long enough to run Tom for statewide office. He would lose by historic margins. Maybe those on here who worship him should look a bit closer at his vote totals in his "presidential" race and figure out that his far right, anti-everything, no compromise on anything attitude is not palatable to anyone not residing on the fringes of the political spectrum. The fact that the anti-immigrant folk get on here and pat each other on the back does not mean that you are any thing close to a majority. Most want some rational immigration reform, which Tom repeatedly blocked, mainly because being a rabblerouser got him more publicity.
November 25, 2008
8:46 a.m.
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Beergut writes:
Tancredo is an embarrassment to Colorado. The time of hate being the main theme any campaign I hope is in the past. Can't he just go away?
November 25, 2008
8:48 a.m.
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Craig writes:
I just hope Tancredo stays gone. He never stood for anything positive or did much of anything to make this world a better place.
November 25, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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Winski writes:
Tommy the Wonder Fool needs to spend his last days in the scum layer with the rest of his idiot friends on the new pond at Chimpy's pig farm in Crawford.
He is strong favorite for the "dumbest man alive' contest.
November 25, 2008
8:56 a.m.
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chickenlittle1234 writes:
I may be winning my bet with my brother. My position was that following the spanking on November 4, the GOP would lurch even further to the right, where it would risk becoming irrelevant. He thought the party would move to the center. Since the election, we've had Palin on a PR mission that would rival anything Madonna's ever done, and now we have Tom (Mexicans, we don't need no stinkin' Mexicans) Tancredo already running for governor. Guess I'll have to go visit my borther for Christmas to pick up my $1.
November 25, 2008
9:06 a.m.
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jhawkey writes:
Maybe you all you bleeding hearts wouldn't mind paying my outrageous medical bills that stem from illegals going in and receiving free health care. They know they get it for free and don't care. Why should they? Someone else that has a job, pays taxes, and pays into social security will cover the expenses. Social security, the next bailout. Yay for me, I get to pay more money into something that I'm already paying into so that others can dip into it for free.
November 25, 2008
9:10 a.m.
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INC writes:
Palin/Tancredo or Tancredo/Palin 2012!!!
Either way, A Democrats dream...
Where do I contribute?
Fact is Tancredo could not win anything with a mixed (R's & D's)
electorate. He only wins by slim margins in CD-6 where the electorate is 3/4 registered republican.
November 25, 2008
9:20 a.m.
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Willy writes:
Salsmom writes:
Tom is truly the face of the republican party - get a wedge issue and see how far you can take it to carry you from one election to another.
That's the MO of both parties mom. The only difference between the two is the window dressing
November 25, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Obama will give the illegals amnesty,drivers licences,benefits only American citizens should have and urge the illegals to continue an economic raping of the American worker.
Obama will use "National Security" as an excuse for allowing these sneaks to stay in this country. Obama will probably do this as soon as he is sworn in. The old tired "let them go to the back of the line" bullpucky will also be used.
Whether you love Tancredo or hate him the one fact about him is that he warned us all about the devastating affect the illegals would have on American society. To date Tancredo has been correct.
Illegals have committed every crime in the book against innocent American citizens. Illegals have overwhelmed our school systems,health systems, prisons systems etc. Illegals have stolen SS#s IDs and cheated American people out of millions of dollars using every slippery, sleazy way they can to victimize American citizens!! To bad no-one in Washington listened!
Sit back and watch as Obama gives them the keys to this country!!
November 25, 2008
9:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
toocool writes:
Tom gave his best for Colorado and the Nation. If there ever was a candidate for Profiles in Courage, he would rank high amongst those already chosen. It wasn't illegal immigration that was at the root of his passion rather preserving our culture, our way of life and a fair deal for all who have earned it (BIRTHRIGHT or LEGAL...get it???). He spoke out when most of his fellow Representatives and Senators coward in the shadows. Tom, there are openings in California, they have great need you.....
November 25, 2008
9:43 a.m.
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JimmyTheSaint writes:
Yeah. Please go to California. We're begging you . . .
November 25, 2008
9:45 a.m.
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Diff writes:
Tancredo - You are an embarrassment to the GOOD people of Colorado. You sicken me!
Have you not got the message? There are only a few once and would be KKK member types and those of like thinking and hatred that share your view - thankfully a minority in this State and the country!
Wake up Tom - seek some counseling for you obsessions, and some enlightenment for you mind! or -PLEASE just go away - FAR far away! Like Russia - you might be popular there, with those who want to re take the eastern block of Europe and the likes of Georgia etc.
Your day is done!
One more think I will be thankful for this Thursday.
November 25, 2008
9:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Michael writes:
"Fact is Tancredo could not win anything with a mixed (R's & D's)electorate. He only wins by slim margins in CD-6 where the electorate is 3/4 registered republican." - INC
Kinda like DeGette in CD 1 and whatever liberal they put up in Boulder? This is true today in over 80% of all US Congressional Districts due to "gerrymandering" by both parties. There are very few truly competitive districts anywhere in the US.
INC - You are wearing your partisan glasses too tight!
November 25, 2008
9:52 a.m.
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UNV_ME writes:
Not once has he ever said anything about illegal aliens being subhuman.....
Actions speak louder than words.
November 25, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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conservative111 writes:
Posters who think the Republicans ran too far to the "right" are delusional. They reason Republicans lost was that they tried to appease everyone and were milquetoast on all the issues. McCain and his ilk were too wishy washy. Real conservatives like Tancredo win each time they run. Libs want conservatives to fade away because they are afraid of conservatism, it wins every time it is tried. Illegal immigration never gets fixed because Democrats want these people's eventual votes and Republicans want the cheap labor. The American taxpayer is caught in the middle, paying for these illegal's health care at our hospitals, their kids in our schools, their cars using our gas and roads and now by bailing out the banks who gave these illegals mortgages they couldn't pay back or are unwilling to pay back. THIS IS WHY THEY NEED TO GO BACK FROM WHERE THEY CAME!
November 25, 2008
10:27 a.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
Run for Governor, Tom! The silent majority of Coloradans are with you all the way.
I can't wait to hear how his democratic opponent (Ritter) will campaign on the promise of even MORE illegal immigration and how it's such a good thing for Colorado! Even MORE jobs lost for Coloradans! Even MORE uninsured motorists on our streets! Even MORE crime by illegals! We've got enough of these problems with citizens, we don't need to import more as well. Pretending it's not a problem is not a solution.
Look. You don't have to like him but at least Tom Tancredo has enough spine to address the issue. I'm not seeing his counterpart on the democrat side of the aisle. The Democrats as a party have colletively said that illegal immigration (and associated issues) is not a problem. Well is it? or isn't it?
November 25, 2008
10:37 a.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Thank you Tom ! You have our support!!
November 25, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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pfwag writes:
Illegal aliens and their children in Colorado public schools are costing taxpayers somewhere betrween $500 and $900 MILLION per Year, depending upon whose numbers one uses. The total costs of illegal immigration in Colorado is approaching $3 BILLION per year.
http://www.cohd23.com/Immigration.html
Ritter and most the Dems are happy paying that. Tom Tancredo and most tax paying citizens of Colorado are not.
November 25, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
Tancredo rocks! His desire to enforce America's law on illegal immigration shows a real commitment to what nearly every American wants..... no illegal immigration. Yet it hasn't been his sole focus in politics. Those who educate themselves more than just watching the local news or reading blogs would know that. He's respectable, and intelligent, and a good person. 10 out of 10 times I'd vote for Tancredo ahead of our blundering Governor Ritter or Mark Udall...... supposedly for the environment yet those three or four advertisements I was receiving weekly from his campaign tells me that there was a lot of paper wasted for his propoganda. Says he's for the environment, but actions speak louder than words and his actions haven't been environmentally friendly.
INC, those Mexicans leaving, along with the other illegals, are due to the economy and a lack of jobs, especially in construction. It's not due to enforcement of immigration laws. Anyway, what's definitely not the truth with that thought is that there are still millions of illegals who are here.
I hope Tancredo runs for Governor. Ritter is the worst Governor the state has had in decades.
November 25, 2008
11:07 a.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
jay045, thanks to the ACLU, it's likely true Tancredo can't directly ask whether an employee of a company is illegal or not.
November 25, 2008
11:10 a.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
opinionatedcolo, I think it was about 83% of Americans polled that said "NO" to any form of illegal immigration. WE ARE the majority and it's not even close. Tancredo wouldn't go along with amnesty bills, which were mostly what was brought up. Americans don't want amnesty! Get it?
November 25, 2008
11:34 a.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
Salsmom writes: "Tom is truly the face of the republican party - get a wedge issue and see how far you can take it to carry you from one election to another."
Say, Salsmom. I'm going to send my three sons over to your house tonight so you can cloth, house, and feed them. Not that I can't do it myself, it would just be cheaper and easier on me if you did it for me. What's that you say? Not your problem... You have limited resources...
Look. We have real problems and limited resources. This is hardly a "wedge issue". I feel for other countries, especially Mexico, but we cannot pick up the tab for the rest of the world. Every other country on earth (including Mexico) has a more stringent illegal immigration policy than the US.
In short: THE TIT'S GONE DRY.
November 25, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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Seanchai writes:
>>strohslite writes: Tom Tancredo is an upstanding,honest, and hard working elected official.<<
Really? Because I was there in the auditorium when he told a group of young people that he doesn't vote as his constituency wishes. - John
November 25, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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jhawkey writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhEl6H...
November 25, 2008
11:55 a.m.
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jay writes:
that's tom tancredo, ladies and gentlemen.
tom tancredo, republican.
keep talking tom.
November 25, 2008
11:59 a.m.
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HankReardon writes:
All Issues; No Action
ADIOS!
November 25, 2008
12:25 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Funny, now that the presidential election is over the slogan is actions not words??!
I forgot Tancredo has an R behind his name; the standard isn't as high if he had a D behind his name.
November 25, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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anderson writes:
My favorite Tom Tancredo quote (to an elderly audience in New Hampshire): "They're coming here to kill YOU, and YOU, (presumably pointing), and your grandchildren"
Did we all sh__ our pants at that one? Elsewise, what is that foulness I detect in the air?
November 25, 2008
5:06 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
Tom took on a major issue no one else would touch because of the predictable racial association. He's principled and possesses Apache courage. I wish to add my voice to thanking Tom (and Jackie). I doubt he has a future in politics. He's been pilloried by the unthinking class to the point of no return. Having a killer sense of humor, radio might be his best gig.
November 25, 2008
5:52 p.m.
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anderson writes:
I have this image of the dead remains of a once-hopeful, once-loved human being, crisping in the sands of Southern Arizona, as Tancredo lights up a cigar in triumph. Of course, it wasn't too many years ago that people rejoiced at the slaughter of the Indians or took a thrill out of watching a man hang.
November 25, 2008
6:22 p.m.
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Uno writes:
Just more proof that libs hate decent law-abiding Americans.
November 25, 2008
6:40 p.m.
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anderson writes:
Yep, Tommy the Tanc and his minions always like to use that "I'm a real American and you're not" argument. Just more proof that they are ever false, and like to appeal to emotion rather than reason.
November 25, 2008
7:36 p.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
Poor anderson, nothing intelligent to say and weak cutdowns aren't working for you.
True that Uno. The new Democrat party...... extremely bitter, vengeful and full of hate for anyone who is a Republican. They hate on Tancredo because he actually cares about upholding laws.
November 25, 2008
8:22 p.m.
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Charles writes:
INC seems as ignorant as he is arrogant. In 2004 Tancredo did beak a three-term pledge -- not two terms as INC asseted -- but the voters of his district forgave him and returned him to Congress with a 60% victory margin-- the highest margin of any Republican in the state that year. His margin in 2006 was the same. Not exactly a "slim margin," huh? He was always honest, forthright, true to his principles and never touched by scandal in his 30 years in the public eye. Colorado would be lucky to have him as Governor.
November 25, 2008
11 p.m.
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Chantal writes:
This reporter is a perfect example of how newspapers are self-destructing . The liberal views of a reporter who would prefer to write sarcastic remarks about one of the very few congressman who had the courage and integrity to uphold his oath of office, our Constitution, and our laws Vs those who they venerate; i.e., sell out our country in return for future votes or cheap labor for their special interests donors is the reason our country is in such a dire state. It would take 100 reporters who cover up Vs cover the news/facts to accumulate one-tenth the integrity of Congressman Tom Tancredo. We all realize, however, that truth and honor are qualities that few, if any, reporters possess.
November 25, 2008
11:13 p.m.
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hoopoe36 writes:
anderson says: "I have this image of the dead remains of a once-hopeful, once-loved human being, crisping in the sands of Southern Arizona, as Tancredo lights up a cigar in triumph. Of course, it wasn't too many years ago that people rejoiced at the slaughter of the Indians or took a thrill out of watching a man hang."
LMAO because he says in the next post that his critics "like to appeal to emotion rather than reason." That's some powerful newspeak going on there.
November 26, 2008
6:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Kukulcan writes:
22 MEMBERS OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT CAUCUS IN HOUSE WON'T BE BACK IN 2009...Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Here is the list of casualties:
Richard Baker (R-La.), 60, 11 terms
Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), 53, 1 term
Bud Cramer (D-Ala.), 61, 9 terms
Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), 61, 7 terms
David Davis (R-Tenn.), 48, 1 term
John Doolittle (R-Calif.), 58, 9 terms
Thelma Drake (R-Va.), 59, 2 terms
Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), 50, 3 terms
Virgil Goode (R-VA), 62, 6 terms
Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), 63, 5 terms
Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), 60, 14 terms
Ric Keller (R-Fla.), 44, 4 terms
Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), 65, 2 terms
Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), 59, 3 terms
Chip Pickering (R-Miss.), 45, 6 terms
Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), 62, 9 terms
Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), 50, 3 terms
Bill Sali (R-Idaho), 54, 1 term
Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), 62, 5 terms
Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), 51, 1 term
Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), 55, 7 terms
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), 57, 7 terms
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada, November 23, 2008;
"On immigration, there's been an agreement between (President-elect Barack) Obama and (Arizona Republican Sen. John) McCain to move forward on that. ... We'll do that."
http://www.freep.com/article/20081123...
November 26, 2008
8:32 a.m.
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diggtbks writes:
Kukulcan writes:
22 MEMBERS OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT CAUCUS IN HOUSE WON'T BE BACK IN 2009
That's ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.........
Why don't you like the word ILLEGAL?
November 26, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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Craig writes:
Tom Tancredo seized on the immigration issue as his fast-track ticket to instant stardom in much the same way that Joe McCarthy used red hysteria to catapult himself into the national spotlight.
Appealing to people’s basest instincts over their nobler aspirations is never the hallmark of a statesman. It’s the hideout of a self-seeking opportunist who preys on what’s worst in human nature seeking to turn it into political gold.
November 26, 2008
10:13 a.m.
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anderson writes:
That about sums up the essence of Tancredo's legacy, Craig. Going low-brow is a tried and true campaign strategy. You think we would have learned after McCarthy. But, no.
November 26, 2008
1:48 p.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
Tancredo is right to fight against illegal immigration, especially when many politicians ignore the fact that over 80% of Americans are against it. We say no to illegal immigration, and we say no to amnesty. If the Obama administration shoves illegal immigrants down our throat....... we'll get to show them what we meant when the next round of votes comes up.