CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
Dec. 20, 2007 – 3:31 p.m.
Tancredo Out, And Now There Are Seven
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Iconic illegal immigration foe Tom Tancredo dropped out of the Republican presidential nominating contest Thursday, two weeks before Iowa holds its first-in-the-nation caucuses. He endorsed Mitt Romney , saying he believed Romney is hardline on immigration, unlike some of the other candidates in the Republican field.
Tancredo proved less resonant with voters than his signature issue. While he helped elevate illegal immigration to the forefront of the national debate as a member of the House and on the campaign trail, he registered in the low single digits in polls conducted in Iowa and other states with early nominating contests. But immigration has remained among the top issues in the Republican campaign.
That’s why Tancredo declared himself a victor as he ended the campaign, referring to the “remarkable progress” made in highlighting the “perilous consequences of massive, uncontrolled immigration.”
Tancredo, who was first elected to the House from the Denver suburbs in 1998, announced in October that he would not seek re-election.
Ironically, Tancredo got what would have been a valuable boost just hours before he headed for the exit Thursday: He qualified for a little bit more than $2 million in federal matching funds. As of the last reporting deadline at the end of September, Tancredo owed more than he had in his treasury.
The federal dollars could be used to retire any remaining campaign debts.
Comments
Tom Tancredo is a true conservative. I look forward to supporting his next political endeavor. Go Tom !
There are eight prominent GOP contenders remaining: Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, McCain, Thompson, Paul, Hunter, and Keyes.
One issue candidates never go anywhere. I greatly admire his convictions, but with the changing demographics of America, candidates like him could be the death of the Republican Party.
I've posted this at more than just this blog, but I definitely do not work for Romney's campaign. I want some conservatives, who I feel haven't given Mitt a fair shake thus far, to seriously reconsider their positions. Romney is clearly now the anti-illegal immigration candidate. What candidate can win the support of ALL conservatives...fiscal, defense, AND social? Mitt's the man!
I have watched Tancredo campaigning on C-span, and now that the ten Iowans supporting him are free to back Mitt, we can be sure that there will be a place for Tom in the Romney cabinet.
Tancredo resigned from the House to run for President, despite the fact that he never had a prayer. In 2006 Bill Winter lost by a horrible margin in that (Tancredo's) district). In 2008 CO-6 might be an interesting race.
Tom will keep up this fight as long as he lives. He truly believes in what he is doing and loves this country. His endorsement of Mitt Romney is good enough for me, I have been debating between Mitt and Fred Thompson.
Tancredo was, unfortunately a "one-trick pony" and he was passionate in his beliefs in that issue. I agree with a previous poster that a cabinet position will be available from Romney if he is victorious and possibly others as well. Now, if a few other of the "going nowhere Republican candidates would step down, forget about their over inflated egos and give support and dollars to those who really have a chance, it would be a nice Christmas present for the voters. RWD
They can all drop out of the race as much as I care.
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