Tancredo: Delay Exit [From House Leadership] Not a Bad Idea

Denver Post ^ | 4/15/05 | Mike Soraghan

[gopwinsin04]

Rep. Tom Tancredo said it is 'probably not the worst idea' for embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to step down while he deals with ethics allegiations.

Stepping into a swirling Washington controversy, the Littleton Republican said he doesn't think the current accusations against DeLay amount to much. But Tancredo said that from a personal perspective, DeLay has handled the ethics issue 'stupidly.'

'I don't think we should try and oust him,' he said in an interview Thursday at the Capitol.

'Right now, I would not encourage him to leave. If he chose to resign as majority leader until these matters are resolved, that's probably not the worst idea.'

Tancredo would be the first fellow conservative to come close to such a suggestion, although he and the poweful Texas are not close political allies.

Meanwhile, 10 former GOP members of Congress, including one from Colorado, joined in a letter to house leadership to say that they believe ethics rules were revised this year in an effort to protect DeLay from investigation and that the changes must be reversed to restore 'confidence in the people's House.'

[joesbucks]

This should be interesting as the same people defending DeLay also love Tancredo --

Amen! I just love to watch those who draw a line in the sand have to erase it.

[joesbucks]

Where's the line about handling his problems stupidly. Looks like your official comment isn't complete either.

[Cboldt]

The liberal media did the same thing to Santorum, and to Bush's comments about DeLay. They cherry-pick the statements and portray it in a negative light, just to make conservatives hyperventilate over nothing.

*bump*

Hyperventilate, and "make popcorn."

[DumpsterDiver]

Where's the line about handling his problems stupidly. Looks like your official comment isn't complete either.

The quotes vary depending on what source you go to. The following doesn't have anything about "handling problenms stupidly" either.

Conservative Lawmaker: DeLay Should Quit
By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 26 minutes ago

[jackbill]

Looks like Tancredo is just another "vote pimp".

Disgusting.

[jackbill]

Tancredo's comments are hardly incendiary. He did say 'while' he is dealing with these issues, which of course can be interpreted as supporting him resuming leadership once cleared of all of this mess.

And it can also be interpreted as pandering to the liberal media and the RATs.

Tancredo should keep his damn mouth shut. With me, he's lost all credibility. Just another "vote pimp".

[mountainfolk]

Now I know all I need to about Tancredo. It is he who is stupid, to say on the one hand DeLay has done nothing wrong, and on the other that he would be doing everybody a favor if he would just step aside till the matter is settled. That is RAT talk. At least Tom DeLay is being given the opportunity to see who his friends are and who are not. If this is Tancredo's idea of strategy, I have to question the wisdom of anything he has to say about solving the immigration problem.

[FairOpinion]

I love that penguin picture!

[lonestar]

My thoughts!

[khalsa]

GEORGE ALLEN, another spineless RINO

[Aetius]

I hardly think that Tancredo is pandering to the media. Sure, he knows the media loves to play up GOP dissention, but he also knows that the media loathes him for his advocacy for conservative immigration reform, and that they never miss an opportunity to slime him. A mild suggestion that it might be best for DeLay to relinquish leadership until he settles things is not going to garner Tancredo any points with the media.

Still, I would prefer he not say what he did either, but I'm not going to condemn one of the best in Congress with regards to almost every issue, especially immigration which sets him above even Delay in my opinion.

[arnoldpalmerfan]

Aetius, you make some very good points in your post.
I agree with your analysis of Cong. Tancredo's comments and with your opinion of Cong. Tancredo.

[Aetius]

Allen had better watch his back, and take care to beat Gov Warner of Virginia should he decide to challenge Allen. The only way he won't do so is if he decides to challenge Hillary for the nomiation and as such won't be able to take the risk of tainting his claim to be able to win in the South by losing to Allen so close to 2008. That and the time and money it would take to do both.

Sadly, losing Santorum seems an unfortunately strong possibility. Losing him and Allen would be disastrous for the GOP as it would be played up by the media and give the Dems something to crow about, and build upon for the next decade.

[jackbill]

Tancredo, of all people, should know that if you give MSM an inch, they'll want a mile.

He should have kept his mouth shut.

What was gained by his comment? Just another bunch of 30 second anti-DeLay sound bites.

It was inexcusable.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I have to wonder about FReepers who want to sit back with popcorn and enjoy the hen pecking party.

It's a clear cut matter to me. The hen who pecks gets his frigging beak cut off. That's Tancredo. This is blatant, petty politics. He now has to hope DeLay falls, or the Hammer comes down on him-- the idiot. He had it made before this stupid move. Now he risks everything, and he'll be lucky to come out of it in one piece.

Now back to the popcorn voyeurs: what are they in this forum for if they think Life and Borders is just for their amusement?

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"...especially immigration which sets him above even Delay in my opinion..."

Just think about the mess he's caused. Tancredo lacks leadership. He lacks common sense. He lacks loyalty. He fails in the character department.

[MeekOneGOP]

Well, I think I'll do a copy and paste of my ping last night on another thread that says a lot of what I think of this BS smear attempt of Tom Delay.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1385076/posts?page=110#110

Tancredo Statement on Majority Leader Tom DeLay
(from his own website)

I JUST NOW fired off my email to President Bush, VP Cheney, Ken Mehlman and others regarding my demand to SUPPORT Tom Delay.

I am really on a tear over this issue. If we can't support our LEADERSHIP in the GOP, then we are going to have major problems down the road.

We ALL need to jump on this and contact EVERYBODY we can to get this message to the party leadership LOUD and CLEAR.

My email to President Bush, VP Cheney, Ken Mehlman and others regarding Tom Delay:

---

My Dear President Bush, V.P. Cheney and Mr. Mehlman, et al:

I am quite disappointed in some of the Republicans reactions to the Democrats and media attacks on MY House Leader Tom Delay.

Tom Tancredo's press release was VERY disappointing ( http://tancredo.house.gov/pressers/04.15.05%20Tancredo%20Statement%20on%20DeLay.htm ).

In a nutshell, let me say that I would desire the Republicans to come forward and support Tom Delay 100%. He has done NOTHING wrong, either morally or ethically or legally. The Democrats and the media have been UNRELENTING in their unwarranted attacks against Mr. Delay.

Below, you will find my letters sent to Tom Tancredo and to Tom Delay regarding these baseless attacks on Tom Delay.

I STRONGLY urge you to come forward with your full support of Tom Delay at every opportunity. An immediate press release expressing such support would be very gratifying and reassuring for me to see from each of you. I have been a straight ticket GOP voter for some years now. I HOPE to remain so, and hope to get YOUR support on this issue that is very important to me.

Thank you.

---

Here are my letters to Tom Tancredo and to Tom Delay sent today:

My Dear Congressman Tancredo:

I saw your note regarding Tom Delay today on your link:

http://tancredo.house.gov/pressers/04.15.05%20Tancredo%20Statement%20on%20DeLay.htm

I am quite disappointed. I think that you and ALL Republicans should stand behind Tom Delay 100%. He has done NOTHING wrong and has stood FIRM for Republican ideals for many years and deserves our support.

I would strongly urge you to reconsider your wobbly position and put out a more positive position of support for Tom Delay.

Below is a copy of MY LETTER of support to Tom Delay.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

-----------------------------------------------------------

My Dear Representative Delay:

I have been noticing all the undeserved and unwarranted personal attacks on you by the Democrats and the media. I despise them for that.

I just wanted to send you a short note to let you know that I support you 100% and strongly urge you to stand firm and keep doing the right things. You are an effective leader and doing a great job for your constituents. That is why they are attacking. That, and the fact that they have ZERO ideas or posititive initiatives to bring to the table. Attack! Attack! Attack! That's all they know. They are despicable.

Hang in there my dear sir. We need you to stay on as the House Majority Leader.

Very sincerely,

---

And to that copy/paste, I'll add my own little photoshop
of Tom Delay (NOT included in my above emailed letters). :)

Here's an in your face pic for the Liberal
lyin' jerks trying to smear Delay!

Well, I think I'll do a copy and paste of my ping last night on another thread that says a lot of what I think of this BS smear attempt of Tom Delay.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1385076/posts?page=110#110

Tancredo Statement on Majority Leader Tom DeLay
(from his own website)

I JUST NOW fired off my email to President Bush, VP Cheney, Ken Mehlman and others regarding my demand to SUPPORT Tom Delay.

I am really on a tear over this issue. If we can't support our LEADERSHIP in the GOP, then we are going to have major problems down the road.

We ALL need to jump on this and contact EVERYBODY we can to get this message to the party leadership LOUD and CLEAR.

My email to President Bush, VP Cheney, Ken Mehlman and others regarding Tom Delay:

---

My Dear President Bush, V.P. Cheney and Mr. Mehlman, et al:

I am quite disappointed in some of the Republicans reactions to the Democrats and media attacks on MY House Leader Tom Delay.

Tom Tancredo's press release was VERY disappointing ( http://tancredo.house.gov/pressers/04.15.05%20Tancredo%20Statement%20on%20DeLay.htm ).

In a nutshell, let me say that I would desire the Republicans to come forward and support Tom Delay 100%. He has done NOTHING wrong, either morally or ethically or legally. The Democrats and the media have been UNRELENTING in their unwarranted attacks against Mr. Delay.

Below, you will find my letters sent to Tom Tancredo and to Tom Delay regarding these baseless attacks on Tom Delay.

I STRONGLY urge you to come forward with your full support of Tom Delay at every opportunity. An immediate press release expressing such support would be very gratifying and reassuring for me to see from each of you. I have been a straight ticket GOP voter for some years now. I HOPE to remain so, and hope to get YOUR support on this issue that is very important to me.

Thank you.

---

Here are my letters to Tom Tancredo and to Tom Delay sent today:

My Dear Congressman Tancredo:

I saw your note regarding Tom Delay today on your link:

http://tancredo.house.gov/pressers/04.15.05%20Tancredo%20Statement%20on%20DeLay.htm

I am quite disappointed. I think that you and ALL Republicans should stand behind Tom Delay 100%. He has done NOTHING wrong and has stood FIRM for Republican ideals for many years and deserves our support.

I would strongly urge you to reconsider your wobbly position and put out a more positive position of support for Tom Delay.

Below is a copy of MY LETTER of support to Tom Delay.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

-----------------------------------------------------------

My Dear Representative Delay:

I have been noticing all the undeserved and unwarranted personal attacks on you by the Democrats and the media. I despise them for that.

I just wanted to send you a short note to let you know that I support you 100% and strongly urge you to stand firm and keep doing the right things. You are an effective leader and doing a great job for your constituents. That is why they are attacking. That, and the fact that they have ZERO ideas or posititive initiatives to bring to the table. Attack! Attack! Attack! That's all they know. They are despicable.

Hang in there my dear sir. We need you to stay on as the House Majority Leader.

Very sincerely,

---

[TexasCajun]

We need a list of these "ChrisShay" type republicans that we can target in 06 & 08 to be replaced!

RINOs belong with the Rats!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Some folks are saying that Tancredo picked up the Immigration issue for the publicity. A grandstand.

They just may be right. He may be doing that regarding Delay for the same reason?

I'll take Tom Delay over Tancredo any day.

Just my 2 cents.

See my last post, just above (#57). ^ ^ ^

:)

[MeekOneGOP]

Tancredo running in 2008?

LOL! Funny, I was thinkin' the same thing.

Maybe he'll run with Hillary and campaign on Immigration?

The Biased Liberal media is EAGER to report that
Hitlery is "Moving to the center."

Ha! Yeah, right. When pigs fly.

Check out her "Move to the center" here, per the ACU.
She went from "10" in 2003 to a GOOSE EGG (0) in 2004,
on a scale of 100 = perfect conservative.

Moving to the center? He**, she's farther left in 2004
than EVER!

Click here or on the pic for the article.

---

Hillary's Rating per the ACU

Senator Hillary Clinton (D)
New York
Democrat, Years of Service: 4

ACU Ratings for Senator Clinton:
Year 2004	0
Year 2003	10
Lifetime	9