Listen, I agree he should have kept his mouth shut, especially as he knows personally how the media loves to go after conservatives (as they have eagerly with him), and since Delay hasn't been too bad on immigration.
But lets not lump Tancredo with genuine RINO's who often pull this kind of thing. Tancredo has a lifetime rating of 98 (out of 100) from the American Conservative Union's ratings. He has backed the President on his tax cuts, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has been with the conservatives and Delay on almost everything because he is a true conservative.
He screwed up here, no doubt, and as I said the fact that he knows as well as anyone how the media works makes it even more inexplicable. But I think if he weren't already known for his battles with the Bush administration over immigration policy then this comment wouldn't have raised many eyebrows. Some in the party already despise him for those immigration battles, and as such are eager to jump on him when he does mess up.
Let's look at the big picture for a moment. DeLay took a big, bold move taking on the judiciary. If anyone deserves support right now, it's him. If we abondon DeLay, we put a damper on all courage by conservative leaders in the future. If Tan-Creepo gets away with this stunt, if it's forgotten, then other congressmen will pull worse BS in the future, eating the carcasses of anyone who dares challenge the libs on 'taboo' matters.
If we make an example of Tan-Creepo, then they will know better. The Old Media always dangles carrots to people like TanCreepo. And it keeps conservative leaders in fear and panic. We MUST break that tactic.
And borders can continue to push ahead without Tan-Creepo.