(Vanity) Why is Tancredo abondoning a run for 08?

04/14/2006 | self

[Once-Ler]

What do you call a man who stirs up the pot to boiling and leaves the cooking to others? I call that man an agitator.

White House Run Not Likely (Tancredo!)

First elected to the House in 1998, Tancredo made immigration reform his top issue. As the issue mushroomed in the public's awareness, Tancredo became the national spokesman for those who want to stop illegal immigration.

Now, he says, other lawmakers are battling to take over his role - or, as he puts it, "out-Tancredo Tancredo."

Oh yeah? Who is that national spokesman, Tank? McCain, Giuliani, Romney, Rice, Clinton?

Doesn't Tancredo have a moral obligation to see this out? If he ran he would finally reveal the true majority of American voter’s deep and heartfelt passion to deport 12 million people to a country mired in corruption and poverty…It’s really the best thing for them. We all know, it is only a small minority of the majority of elected officials, corporations and small businesses, the illegals themselves, and the democrat base that opposes expelling illegals. The illegals can’t vote and for many real conservative the other groups aren’t really Americans anyways.

Why is Tancredo dropping out now?

The issue is red hot and according to his admirers Tancredo is dead on right about immigration and conservatism. It could propel him into the history books as the greatest President of all time. Even if a bill, one which conservatives can really accept, gets passed and signed the nation would be grateful for the utopia that would soon emerge. Why not parlay that into the Presidency? Illegal immigration is the most important issue we have had to deal with in our lifetime. The fate of our country is in jeopardy unless we address this issue immediately. The job ain’t done Tommy.

Has one illegal stopped spreading disease, or stopped sucking our health care system dry? Has one illegal stopped committing crime, stopped stealing our jobs, or stopped cashing in welfare checks? From every account I read at FR…from the evil and stupid Dubya, to the inept border patrol, and the secret plans of the One World Order, CFR, and La Raza things are worse today than yesterday. How can Tancredo forsake his disciples when his guidance is needed now more than ever? This is the issue that could launch a conservative sweep through out the nation. Tancredo is one of the few true conservatives to recognize the potential to eradicate crime, disease, and the contamination of our American culture. While the GOP flounders aimlessly in the Congress and the President has sold our sovereignty for 30 pieces of silver, Tancredo turns tail and flees.

"I get the feeling that I will not have to do this," Tancredo said of the presidential bid. "This issue, it's got legs, and they're not necessarily mine anymore."

WTH? Haven’t conservatives and the American voter screamed for leadership? I don’t understand why he does not lead on this issue. He will certainly get more attention as a Presidential candidate, riding the waves of voter adoration, for the brave way he stood up to his party and even his President. He pushed this issue to the party-continuous top of the junk media’s news cycle. Now what? Now he thinks he can fade from the limelight and let someone else carry his water?

Tancredo seems pretty sure immigration reform is a done deal, but he clearly has no faith in his ability to even shape the legislation. I wonder why he can’t capitalize on his leadership on this issue and his 100% name recognition in trailer parks strewn across this proud country? Perhaps he thinks he can rake in more donations when he returns in righteous indignation over the coming amnesty.

[tertiary01]

I'm not saying the RNC types are going to win out, just what they seem to be saying. OBLers seem to rule at this point, but I think their power is waning.

[ears_to_hear]

It is not just republicans, it is the democrats as well.

There is little distinction between the 2 parties on significant issues.

[Once-Ler]

Staying at home or a vote for a 3rd party in Nov would send a strong message to both parties

Yeah! The message is they can write off conservative voters, so they better moderate their views, if they want to win. It is the kind of thinking that elected Clinton, to punish Bush Sr for breaking his pledge on taxes. Less than a month after swearing in, and working harder than he ever had in his life, President Clinton reneged on his promised middle class tax cut. Then he raised taxes.

As a consequence the GOP realized the error of it's ways and pushed arch conservative Bob Dole to placate the right fringe of the party. Conservatives stayed home to send their message once again. In response the party pushed mega-paleocon Dubya. What an amazing strategy the conservatives have to get their way.

After 4 years of RINO Dubya, the right wing again flexed their muscle and propelled the combined 3rd party vote to nearly 1%. Voter apathy over the 2 main parties propelled the highest voter participation since 1968.

In the long run both parties have the same masters.

Yes the voters. Those who vote 3rd party or stay home are irrelevant. One of the 2 parties party will win and they can be assured that you did not vote for them, therefore they have no obligation to listen to you.

[Once-Ler]

And it surprises me also how much government help illegals can get because there is no national registry.

What surprises me, as an American, is how much government help anybody can get. I find it ironic that conservatives spend so much time bemoaning health and education costs for illegals, and ignore the staggering socialism offered to enslave Americans. From unemployment insurance, to SS, to subsidized housing. The social spending on Americans dwarfs handouts for illegals. I think some illegalbashers are just jealous of someone else getting a little slice of their evil welfare pie.

Other thing I find very strange is this nearly unhindered influx of unskilled immigration from latin America, but no proper system it seems of channeling this work force legally into the country.

Bingo. America has made it extremely difficult to enter legally, and very easy to enter illegally. I have wondered over this, and I keep coming to this fact: Many of the illegals have obtained fake documents and are paying SS, federal and state income tax, and unemployment insurance at work...their employers are also paying their share of those welfare programs. The illegal can't collect on any of this without fear of detection and deportation. I think this is one reason why this problem is so hard to solve. It's free money for the government.

We currently have a labor vacuum. America is aborting its future workers. Those low paying service jobs are not being taken by the spoiled teenagers of the American middle class. Until we find a way to supplant the illegal immigrants with legal immigrants, coyotes who traffic in people will be well paid.

[NapkinUser]

What's funny is Tancredo never fully ruled out a presidential run (I suspect he is looking to see if Allard retires and if he can go after that open Colorado senate seat) and that Tancredo himself has said he cannot win.

It would be like Jim Gilchrist, whose strong showing in the polls forced republican John Campbell to disown a vote for in-state college costs and Robert Vasquez, who regardless of if he wins or not has forced four out of five of the other republicans running for an open Idaho house seat to take strong anti-illegal and pro-border enforcement stances. Tancredo would move others like Allen to the right on immigration.

"American voter’s deep and heartfelt passion to deport 12 million people to a country mired in corruption and poverty...."

When did Tancredo say that exactly? Tancredo's stance is go after employers, dry up the jobs for illegals and they'll "deport themselves." The feeling sorry for illegals attitude you display is phoney and bogus at best anyways.

[Leifur]

You are right about the jealosy for government handout. And it is precisely this evilness that comes with socialism and such populsims that fuels the rise of facism and such ideologies. Hitler was very generous on all kinds of benefits, but of course only to racially pure germans.

It is actually very frightening to see how interconnected such hateful regimes are with large public benefit systems. It is f.e. very obvious in the resource cursed arab countries, where the government is absolutely unaccountable to the people because thei get their money from the oil, and spend it to buy themselves popularity.

So you are right, the question is not that the illegals are getting to much public benefits, but that everybody is getting them. But I think you hit the nail on the head with your words about how easy it is to enter illegally but not legally. It has pervased the body politic it seems.

In europe it has been on the other hand much more easy to enter legally but it is far harder I would beliewe to live below the radar illegally in the country. But it is though happening en masse.

You are probably correct in the pervasiveness of a system where illegals are paying into the social systems and thus substituting the account books without being able to receive benefits.

If a guest workers program would be created I would think it ideal to put in place a private accounts pension fund for those participating in that program. It would help in the ideological battle in the future to be able to point to that. And it would be instrumental to ensure that guest workers will return to their respective home countries if that is what people want, as they can then take the money from their accounts with them.

It is to often that lawmakers put in place laws that are not followed, and there is not enough done to enforce them. Most often that is because of naive ideas of the possibility of enforcing every rule without taking into account human behaviour.

So I think that if the US is going to enforce more border control towards it southern borders it must also in some way enforce the laws on those existing within the country, but yeat give them some kind of change to get into a legal path. As it is also absolutely neccasery to create somekind of legal path for immigrants into the country to lift the pressure on the border control so it is enforcable, it would probably be best to allow those already in the country prior to some date priority in such a system.

Or do you think a harder border control will be possible without some kind of legal channel, weather it is a temporal system or not? Should legal immigratin maybe just be more open and or should there be a guest workers program that will not lead to citizenship, and maybe not birth-right citizenship for their children? Or should guest workers be able to become citizens later on?

[NapkinUser]

"....illegalbashers...."

Is that you, Howard Dean?

[ears_to_hear]

Yeah! The message is they can write off conservative voters, so they better moderate their views, if they want to win. It is the kind of thinking that elected Clinton, to punish Bush Sr for breaking his pledge on taxes. Less than a month after swearing in, and working harder than he ever had in his life, President Clinton reneged on his promised middle class tax cut. Then he raised taxes.

Are you kidding? They pander to Conservative voters at election time and once in office they only have ears for the K street crowd. You have already been written off. A RESPONSIBLE leader would look at the condition of the finances of this nation and drop the idea of any tax cut right now. Unlike Reagans day today all that "saved income tax" goes to China and India not the USA . It only benefits Wall street not Main street.We need to pay our bills and stop being in debt to COMMUNIST CHINA

Was Clinton REALLY worse than Bush? Bush and the Republican Congress has skyrocketed the national debt, sent millions of middle class jobs to India and China ( along with critical technology), increased the number of H1 visas to make sure that the educated had to fight foreigners for lower paying jobs and now is plotting to make America "little Mexico" .

And you are worried about them "moving" middle if we do not vote for them??

You gotta live in a different America than I do. Other than the Supreme court we have not seen any conservative decisions . And to be honest we can not even be sure of the supreme court appointments position until the appointer is out of office. It was a "Republican court " that has moved this country left.

Until they know we expect them to be the representatives they pretend to be at election time they will continue to think we are dumb as rocks.

The only thing they seem to give a damn about it their own power and money

Trust me that if they postpone the immigration bill as soon as they have their positions secure for another 3 years they will open the borders so we all live in an American barrio as they live in their gated communities.

Constitution Party

[ears_to_hear]

It is to often that lawmakers put in place laws that are not followed, and there is not enough done to enforce them. Most often that is because of naive ideas of the possibility of enforcing every rule without taking into account human behaviour.

Well lets be honest , they pass phony bills that are a fraud on the American public.

They have not enforced the law from the last time we "legalized "4 million now they want to legalize 11 million (that could be a hint that the fraud they perpetrated the last time is just being pulled again)

There is not one cent allocated for the registration of the 11 million, not one cent allocated for the monitoring of the 11 million( to see if they are following the NEW LAW), not one cent allocated for the enforcement end on employers (isn't that a surprise?) and not one cent for a wall or high tech toys on the border, not one more cent for increased border patrol or ICE .

This is nothing but an excuse to give 11 million law breakers first call on jobs here ( to save the employers cash and paperwork) and the right to vote (for those that are not doing THAT illegally too)

The Dems are looking for the Republicans for "cover " on this and the Republicans are looking to the Dems for "cover". They figure if it is supported by both parties what will the stupid public do?

Consider this alternative

The Constitution Party

It is time Now

[Once-Ler]

As it is also absolutely necessary to create some kind of legal path for immigrants into the country to lift the pressure on the border control so it is enforceable, it would probably be best to allow those already in the country prior to some date priority in such a system.

I agree completely. Easing the flow of legal immigration would be the best solution to stemming the flow of illegal immigration. Combined with strengthening border security, identification document reforms, and enforcing penalties on the employers of illegals we could solve the problem.

I'm not sure that kind of solution is politically viable today.

Or do you think a harder border control will be possible without some kind of legal channel, weather it is a temporal system or not?

I think it is possible, but I think it would require a callous mindset from the American public. If hatred can convince people to look away at forced deportation by the trainload, a 20 ft wall with armed storm troopers around "the land of the free and home of the brave," and news accounts of children gunned down in the desert then we can solve the Mexican border problem without doing something about the American labor vacuum.

At that point we would have to turn our attention on the increasing flow of illegals from Canada and our coasts.

Last year America's population rose by only 1%. If we take out illegal immigration our population actually shrinks. I do not know of a country that remained prosperous while it's population and workforce shrunk. Personally I could support removing 12 million illegals as long as the population reduction is offset by legal immigration, either temporary or permanent. I think it is unnecessary and wasteful to remove illegals who have a good work history and no criminal history. By identifying these people we could use our resources to expel criminals, terrorists and welfare leeches.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Have a blessed Easter.

[HitmanLV]

Because he is a one trick pony who appeals to fetishist on that one issue, but is caught flat footed on almost everything else. No national credibility.

He is fine where he is - hammering his one issue and trying to influence policy.

[Once-Ler]

Are you kidding? They pander to Conservative voters at election time and once in office they only have ears for the K street crowd.

Are you kidding?

Latinos come to the US to seek the same dreams that have inspired millions of others: they want a better life for their children. Family values do not stop at the Rio Grande. Latinos enrich our country with faith in God, a strong ethic of work, community & responsibility. We can all learn from the strength, solidarity, & values of Latinos. Immigration is not a problem to be solved, it is the sign of a successful nation. New Americans are to be welcomed as neighbors and not to be feared as strangers. - Bush Jun 26, 2000

Our diversity gives Texas new life, new energy, new blood and we should not fear it but welcome it. No debemos temerla sino recibirla con los brazos abiertos. We should be proud of our various heritages; we should celebrate them in festivals; we should enjoy their traditions in our homes. This genuine appreciation of heritage stands in stark contrast to those who would divide people into groups for political purposes. There’s a trend in this country to put people into boxes. - Bush Apr 6, 1998

Pandering to CONSERVATIVES?

Dubya offered $2B for teachers without mandates, $5B reading program, $400M for after-school programs, $1.3B to help students in college-prep math & science, $275M for pre-paid college tuition tax credits, $1.5B for state merit scholarships to college, and $900M to improve Indian schools on the 2000 campaign trail.

He also offered conservatives $4.9B to repair “crumbling” national parks, $450M annually for wildlife and open spaces, $4.3 billion program to expand community health services in remote and urban areas,and opposed repeal of the 1994 assault weapon ban and indicated his openness to Clinton’s call to raise the age of legal handgun ownership from 18 to 21.

Oh that Dubya is a sweet talker. I can see how he fooled the conservatives into voting for him. After 8 years of Clinton the GOP finally gave into the conservatives and offered Bush part 2. You should stay home again in 08. Your plan is working great.

[ears_to_hear]

What is it we do not agree on?

The pandering is during the election cycle not REAL life

[Once-Ler]

Tancredo himself has said he cannot win.

Why is that? Immigration is the issue that could save the GOP from it's majority rule. Why can't Tancredo ride the issue to the WH dispite his personality and lack of commonsense? If Tancredo has stubled onto the most important issue of our time, immigration the root of crime disease and poverty, why couldn't he run for Gov last election, and why can't he win the WH?

[Once-Ler]

What is it we do not agree on?

The meaning of English words. I can't tell you why we disagree.

The pandering is during the election cycle not REAL life

The Bush promises before 2 elections included good judges, taxcuts, education reform, tort reform, drug benifits, expanding free trade, SS reform and a guest worker program. It can hardly be called pandering when the promises were delivered or strongly, but unsuccessfully advocated by Bush.

[Leifur]

"Easing the flow of legal immigration would be the best solution to stemming the flow of illegal immigration. Combined with strengthening border security, identification document reforms, and enforcing penalties on the employers of illegals we could solve the problem."

Absolutely

"I'm not sure that kind of solution is politically viable today."

Why not? I do of course know very little about the political situation in the US, but is it not exactly what would become the merger of the two main ideas for solutions in this matter?

It seems that this term of Republican control of both lower and higher chamber of your parliment and the presidency is a term of lost opportunities. Instead of using the opportunity to fix things to the long term, they have only spent without restraints to try to buy themselves support in their constituencies.

They could have fixed many great challenges to the long term, like Social Security, immigration, ever increased health costs (Healt Savings Accounts are though an acceptable gesture) and last and most importantly the budget deficit, but instead they seem to have blew the opportunitie big time.

I am convinced that the party who fixes these things would be popular for long time, but now they are giving the Democrats the opportunitie to do so, but with their left winged twists wich would probably be worse for the long time, even though the people would beliewe othervise.

Its like New Deal, people still beliewe it was a good thing, because it fixed many short time problems facing the nation at the time, or at least seemed to do so. Now New Deal is killing the US, but still people beliewe it was good. The right blew the opportunity to fix these things to the long time with right wing, market solutions it seems.

[MikefromOhio]

He might see that there is more that CAN be done in Congress instead of making an attempt at the Presidency and possibly losing.

He has a fairly secure grasp on his seat in Congress. He can do more there than in the Presidency IMHO.

[Once-Ler]

He might see that there is more that CAN be done in Congress instead of making an attempt at the Presidency and possibly losing.

Then we could conclude that his stand on immigration is only popular enough in his small congressional district to secure his future employment.

[MikefromOhio]

No I don't think so.

He's got a BIT more support than that....

[Once-Ler]

Why not? I do of course know very little about the political situation in the US, but is it not exactly what would become the merger of the two main ideas for solutions in this matter?

The GOP is split between free market and religious Republicans and its protectionist wing. The rats do not want to see any solution that might improve America and by proxy the Republican party. There are business interests and money to be made by the border protection lobby. There is a lot of interest in keeping the status quo.

The GOP has much to lose by proposing to deport all the illegals or to amnesty them. Either way Republicans will lose some votes. The rats have little to lose by continuing to oppose everything. I am not sure even a modest proposal to just enforce the border could pass the Senate anymore than a modest proposal for guest-workers could pass the House.

On the other hand there is a sizable group of people who are willing to compromise to get some of what they want. Dubya is obviously interested in getting something passed and he has been successful in getting what he wants.

It will be interesting to see where this issue stands by election day.