June 8, 2007 11:31 PM
Tancredo: Say what?
So, did you hear what Rep. Tom Tancredo said on Friday?
Where do we begin?
Let's see...
He named names with scathing criticism for all the Republican presidential front-runners -- and he offered bonus digs at one guy who's not even in the race yet.
He imagined a scenario that could make him king-maker -- or perhaps king -- at a brokered Republican National Convention.
And, oh yes, when asked whether he might run for U.S. Senate against Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar in 2010, he gave a roundabout answer that included the eyebrow-raising word "perhaps."
Check out the video and full transcript of his appearance on the public television show "Iowa Press" HERE, HERE, HERE.
Tancredo's previously scheduled appearance turned out to be on the morning after the U.S. Senate vote that scuttled the comprehensive immigration reform bill he had been blasting as "amnesty" for illegal immigrants.
That apparently put him in one of those talkative moods, and he hit his stride by ripping into Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a presidential rival who pushed for the compromise legislation to the end. Said Tancredo:
"I think that the silver lining in this bill and the fact that we've debated this bill and the fact that he has pushed it so hard is that it probably means there will never be a 'President John McCain'"
He wasn't done there. Tancredo also called former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney "tall, nice-looking...smart, very competent" and "rich," with "more money than, I don't know, Midas." But then came the punchline:
"He's a very wealthy guy. That's a very good thing. There's no two ways about it. But I think it's relatively shallow. I think it's -- I cannot tell -- when I listen to him speak, as I say all the good things about him that I've just said and I do believe are there, I just don't believe there's much depth, and I don't think it goes very far and I don't think that there's -- It's not based on any solid set of ideological principles. So, therefore, you can be this for a while and this for a while and that for a while."
What about former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani? Tancredo praised his work as mayor after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But...
"But in a Republican primary, it's probably going to take more than that, and it's going to probably take a consistent -- a consistent conservative set of positions."
And what about the big maybe, former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee?
"His voting record on immigration is lousy."
Tancredo was asked about his own prospects. Despite daunting odds and a relatively small campaign bankroll, he said he's in the race "to win." That could happen at a brokered convention, he said, if no candidate in the crowded field is able to get a majority of Republican delegates.
Here's how the conversation went with panelist O. Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa:
Tancredo: "Well, then somebody with fewer delegates can make an interesting mix of things. What if we go into a convention for the first time in forty years that's a brokered convention? A lot of things can happen."
Henderson: "So do you see that scenario playing out?"
Tancredo: "It's a possibility. It's a possibility."
Henderson: "So in that scenario, do you want to be the player or do you want to be the nominee?"
Tancredo: "Well, one can make you be the other."
Hmmmm.
Tancredo was asked if he plans to run for the U.S. Senate. He took his name out of consideration for 2008. But then he was pressed about 2010. Just last week, his congressional spokesman hinted he had his eye on challenging Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat, in 2010.
Said Tancredo:
"Salazar, well, who knows. As I say, I'm running for president of the United States and, let me tell you, it takes -- This is a grueling experience. And when you're done with it, who knows whether you ever want to run for anything anymore. But we'll see if that all unfolds in that way, perhaps. But I have to focus on this issue. I mean, I really can't think about that."
June 25, 2007
11:52 PM
Anonymous writes:
Hats off to Susan as you are correct. There are current laws in this country that make you a FELON if you are in this country illegally, & as we can all see, are NOT being enforced. Both sides of the political spectrum are committed to allowing these illegals amnesty and rewards for felonious crimes. We are truly losing our country as those idiots like several others writing here are sticking their heads in the sand! Oh Minerva, you are a freak! Vote for Hilary? Honey, you really need to get your head out of your (*#)(#*$(*#! Hey Doug, you SHOULD be ashamed of yourself! YOU are a disgrace to America for posting that statement! And Mike F; why don't you check out HOW MUCH it's costing this country for social, emergency services and identity theft etc that is costing this country from illegal's??? Billions!!! And it just keeps skyrocketing! Hospitals that have had to foot this bill are closing everywhere as they do not have the budget after eating all of these costs!! And the cost to send them for a ride over the border?? ALOT less expensive than it is costing us now! Charge those that hire them and house them stiff fines and that can offset the cost to deport them! THEN SECURE OUR BORDERS!!!!!!!!! We choose who to allow into our country! Oh yes, and for those that would call me racist (as that is the ONLY weak statement you can make!!!) be my guest! I could give a >>>>!!!!!! My country is being sold out and Tancredo is the ONLY one that has the guts to stand up and say NO!!! For all you ignorant idiot's that don't have a CLUE and rant and rave about allowing illegal's in, why don't you go live in Mexico if you love them so much!!! Get the hell out of my country! And believe me, you are losing ground all those that want this amnesty. This country is getting fighting mad and the usual silent majority IS speaking out as we are fighting mad! The security and future of our beloved country is at stake & we won't let ignorant idiot's just give it away! If we allow this to happen, America, we will cease to exist. Grow up and take the blinders off! We will fight for the future of this country!!! This is MY country and with all that was given for those that fought for our freedoms do you REALLY think America is just going to let a small ignorant part of the bleeding hearts give it away?? You have another thing coming! Mr. Tancredo~keep on fighting! America IS behind you!
June 25, 2007
12:20 AM
Susan Smith writes:
Let me educate the anti-American, illegal alien supporters who have posted their ignorant comments. WHEN Tom Tancredo is elected President, current Federal Immigration Law Sec 8 U.S.C. 1324 of aiding, abetting, inducing, encouraging or harboring aliens will be enforced. That means employers and landlords will be fined and/or imprisoned. That means no income and no place to live for the illegal aliens which means they go back to their country - all on their own dime. For the last ten years while Americans were sleeping, 20 million illegal aliens invaded our Country, our hospitals, schools, social services and jobs - during this time there was one man who stood alone defending our people, our heritage and culture...Tancredo has the support of Americans and WILL be the next President.
June 10, 2007
10:15 AM
Mike F writes:
Alexander writes:
"It is very inexpensive to depot these people. You fine the employers who hire them millions of dollars and without jobs they will go home anyway. I know this because they brag about their plans that once they build up enough money here,they are going back to Mexico to build a big house."
Huh? Inexpensive? Per government statistics released by the immigration enforcement department, they deported about 176,000 illegal aliens last year, and the budget for doing so was $3.7 billion. That works out to about $21,000 per illegal alien. If we have 15 million illegal aliens in our country, that means that it would cost $315 BILLION to deport them all. And that doesn't even count the cost of increased border security.
Inexpensive? ROFLOL.
Alexander is right - one effective way to deal with this would be to fine the hell out of their employers, but guess what? A couple of years ago, when it turned out the Dishonorable Gentleman from Littleton's basement was finished by illegals, what did he do? Not a thing.
But he did go on a month-long jihad to make sure that some kid whose parents smuggled him into the country when he was a baby was denied funds to attend college. Sure, that'll bring 'em to their knees.
You go, Tom. Really.
June 9, 2007
10:55 PM
Minerva D. writes:
Tancredo is an embarrassment to the Republican Party and to Colorado. I, a loyal Republican, would vote for Hillary before I would vote for him.
June 9, 2007
10:04 PM
Alexander writes:
The guy from Colorado needs to take his next vacation
in Southern California and drive around the area and try to find an area that is not majority illegal alien. My thinking is that he will not understand Tancredo until
Colorado looks the same.
It is very inexpensive to depot these people. You fine the employers who hire them millions of dollars and without jobs they will go home anyway. I know this because they brag about their plans that once they build up enough money here,they are going back to Mexico to build a big house.
Go ahead and ask one if you doubt this.
Also-Wopbuger? Is that anything worse than the Sopranos? People are not that sensitive!
June 9, 2007
9:20 PM
Doug writes:
I am a Colorado Republican who is ashamed to say I live in the same state as Mr. Tancredo. He is a disgrace.
June 9, 2007
2:41 PM
Mike F writes:
I sure would like to see the Dishonorable Gentleman from Littleton tell us HOW he's going to 1) cut off all immigration, legal or not, 2) kick out the illegals, 3) and pay for 1) and 2).
That might prove to be amusing. My guess is he'll say something like "we can't afford NOT to do these things." Which, translated, means, that a) he has no idea how much it would cost, and b) whatever it costs, it's going to be astronomical.
You go, Tom. Really.
June 9, 2007
8:20 AM
Anonymous writes:
Just another ZERO in a field of ZERO'S. Next year we will be forced to hold our noses while voting no matter who it is. Time to pull the plug on this place. The party is over and we're too stupid to know it.
June 9, 2007
7:24 AM
walter santi writes:
Tancredo has lost much of the Italian-American vote by endorsing the "WOPBURGER"
June 9, 2007
6:56 AM
nappyheadedho writes:
Prison wives president: TANCREDO