April 4, 2008 10:02 AM
Tancredo's borderline support for McCain
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By M.E. Sprengelmeyer
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
WASHINGTON -- 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. At that October debate, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also said he would not necessarily work for the party's nominee, "not unless they're willing to end the war and bring our troops home…"
That brought an unequivocal retort from McCain: "You don't want me then, pal."
April 6, 2008
3:28 PM
loyalTancredosupporter writes:
For all that Tom Tancredo has tried to do for this country and legal citizens, there should be no stone-casting! We should, instead, direct our boulders at the media, politicians and businesses that are trying their best to destroy this country. Thank you, Tom, for the good fight! You continue to have your army of supporters in the U.S.A.
April 5, 2008
7:30 AM
msbobbie writes:
Tom Tancredo was (and still is) my man. His support for the general candidacy of Senator McCain does not sway me, however.
My top issue is National Sovereignty, National Security and controlling illegal immigration. Neither McCain, Clinton nor Obama is even pretending to offer those things and I cannot put my stamp of approval on any of them.
Voters in Oklahoma will not have a third party option on their ballot in November; perhaps other states also. I will not, however just stay home because I do not like the top of the ballot. That is what moveon .org, code pink, LaRaza and other liberal groups are hoping for. If that happens they will run the table in Congress and the Senate in addition to winning the oval office.
It is a long time until November, but if the election were tomorrow I would skip the POTUS part of my ballot and vote the other conservative candidates and ballot initiatives.
We only need 41 conservative patriots in the Senate to prevent amnesty, L.O.S.T, and any other liberal things from happening. In my wildest dreams Republicans will also take back the House of Representatives but there is a lot of ground to make up, it is not likely to happen, but possible.
April 5, 2008
7:26 AM
MrNixon writes:
Why is amnesty always presented as "amnesty" when the bill would give the illegals permanent status in the USA, give them free education, provide them with free immigration lawyers, social security/medicare/welfare benefits, allow them to maintain false identities with a matricular card, give them amnesty for back taxes, give them citizenship and on top of all that when they are citizens they would be allowed to bring in their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to the USA allowing all of them to become citizens? And what did they do to deserve this? The entered the USA illegally and committed identity theft
April 5, 2008
2:10 AM
fred writes:
I am disappointed in Congressman Tancredo support for Senator McCain. I would have like Congressman Tancredo to support Ron Paul instead.
It is becoming obvious that there will be a guest worker program or amnesty for the millions of illegal aliens currently in the United States.
McCain will give in to the various organizations to legalize illegal aliens, if elected President. This will be bad news for millions of Americans.
April 4, 2008
9:01 PM
Bobby writes:
Since the print media is ovr whelmingly liberal, this article is no surprise and the typical trash that somehow can't understand why Americans don't want to be robbed of billions of dollars of our taxes. Where's the free medical, Shawn Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh? You are all against giving Americans something. Couldn't we pay for it with the billions needed to incarcerate, medicate, and school foreing nationals. Honestly, at times I think Americans are about the most taken advantage of folks in the world.
April 4, 2008
8:59 PM
Justin writes:
Forget McAmnesty, Clinton and Obama. The only one who can help save our country is Ron Paul! If his name isn't on the ballot....write it in!
Ron Paul for President 2008
April 4, 2008
8:57 PM
Tom writes:
I will vote my beliefs and write in Ron Paul. McCain is a member of the CFR and supports the North American Union. The New World Order is marching on.
April 4, 2008
8:48 PM
levotb writes:
Tancredo's gone from backing Romney to now saying he's "supporting the general cadidacy of John McCain". The only way conservatives would pull the lever or punch the chad for McCain is if McCain selected Hunter or Romney as his VP. anything to the left of those guys, and you can kiss his hopes goodbye.
April 4, 2008
8:48 PM
TLB writes:
Tancredo could simply have "declined to state". And, Clinton would actually be the best choice from a pro-borders standpoint. All three of the current choices we're given will push for amnesty, but because she's a polarizing figure she'll have much less luck. The GOP would fall in behind McCain's push, just as many in the GOP are falling in behind his candidacy. And, Obama might as well be working for the MexicanGovernment.
As for Tancredo's run, it was hampered a bit by the hacks in the MSM that didn't ask real immigration questions at the debates and that helped his opponents lie about their positions (examples: youtube.com/watch?v=nIbDAVQMKGM and youtube.com/watch?v=wm0uWz2BS9M)
April 4, 2008
5:01 PM
Shane Savoie writes:
Tom Tancredo will hold his nose and stand (far) behind the NeoCon darling, McCain, because he doesn't have the sense to recognize that having a statist/liberal from the GOP in office is no better than having avowed socialist like Hillary or Obama. After 8 years of Bush and 4 years of McCain, the GOP will be lucky to retake the White House in 2040!
By nominating someone that disdains conservative values, we've made sure Republicans will stay home in November. I know I won't be drinking that Koolaid...I'll vote for Bob Barr on the Libertarian ticket because I know that if you vote for something you don't want, you are a fool.
April 4, 2008
5:01 PM
Shane Savoie writes:
Tom Tancredo will hold his nose and stand (far) behind the NeoCon darling, McCain, because he doesn't have the sense to recognize that having a statist/liberal from the GOP in office is no better than having avowed socialist like Hillary or Obama. After 8 years of Bush and 4 years of McCain, the GOP will be lucky to retake the White House in 2040!
By nominating someone that disdains conservative values, we've made sure Republicans will stay home in November. I know I won't be drinking that Koolaid...I'll vote for Bob Barr on the Libertarian ticket because I know that if you vote for something you don't want, you are a fool.
April 4, 2008
5:01 PM
Shane Savoie writes:
Tom Tancredo will hold his nose and stand (far) behind the NeoCon darling, McCain, because he doesn't have the sense to recognize that having a statist/liberal from the GOP in office is no better than having avowed socialist like Hillary or Obama. After 8 years of Bush and 4 years of McCain, the GOP will be lucky to retake the White House in 2040!
By nominating someone that disdains conservative values, we've made sure Republicans will stay home in November. I know I won't be drinking that Koolaid...I'll vote for Bob Barr on the Libertarian ticket because I know that if you vote for something you don't want, you are a fool.
April 4, 2008
2:25 PM
Randy writes:
What's with the slam on Tom Tancredo? He appears to be about the only person in Congress with a real handle on what illegal immigration is doing to this country in terms of benefits, depressed wages, crime and identity theft, not to mention the possible entry of terrorist across our borders. I had hoped that Congressman Tancredo's entry into the race would have brought the immigration issues to the forefront. Unfortunately, all three candidates will push the amnesty agenda, whichever one is elected.
Tom, you tried!!
April 4, 2008
1:58 PM
Campbell writes:
I wouldn't waste my time on Sprengelmeyer. He's a racist, he supports racist groups. We had all thought that ending the racist grip of the K*K*K would heal America. Today we have the racist actions of extremist groups such as La Raza and MEChA. The racism and hate is still the same its just that the names have changed. Supporting these racist type groups with money for their cause in any fashion gives them reason to exist to breed hate in our society. Sprengelmeyer supports these racist groups because of their agenda on illegal migration and that gives him reason to trash Tancredo who is against illegal migration. Sprengelmeyer has used the same type of propaganda spew in his other columns calling Tancredo a racist, bigot, etc to support the actions of these groups.
April 4, 2008
11:06 AM
Mike writes:
No, he doesn't "have to" support McCain. He could throw his support behind Ron Paul or behind the eventual Constitution Party candidate.
The problem with backing the lesser of two evils is, of course, you still get evil!
Illegal immigration is too important to compromise...
http://truthalert.net/Shows/January%2029%202008%20Show%201.htm
April 4, 2008
11:05 AM
Dave writes:
That is pure propaganda, spin or rhetoric of 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 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 now that the new president will sign into law a massive AMNESTY, giving the 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. Democrats who believe in enforcement must register their outrage with their representative. Find out the raw truth about illegal immigration. NUMBERSUSA!
April 4, 2008
11:04 AM
Dave writes:
That is pure propaganda, spin or rhetoric of 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 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 now that the new president will sign into law a massive AMNESTY, giving the 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. Democrats who believe in enforcement must register their outrage with their representative. Find out the raw truth about illegal immigration. NUMBERSUSA!