You don't always have to go to the establishment, "electable" Republican. Remember Ronnie wasn't mainstream republicanism. "Mainstream" was Gerry Ford and Papa Bush. Ronnie won two big landslides because he was a leader with ideas. He sold the ideas to America.
The difference is being a LEADER versus a politican.
I don't know enough about Tancredo's other positions yet, but his actions prove some tanacity. Other worthwhile congressmen are Curt Weldon for pressing on about Able Danger in lieu of mass resistance, and senator Jon Kyl from OK who tried to stand up to massive pork, but got lambasted by members of both parties. Norm Coleman is doing a good job firing at the useless UN.
McCain is nothing, and please no Jeb.
One must fight for what they believe while at the same time be a realist. Vote for the person closest to your beliefs while still keeping in mind that they must ultimately be electable. Voting for candidate who reflects your views perfectably but doesn't have a chance in he!! of being elected is a wasted vote.
After two speeches I saw Weldon make last week I'm much less enamored of him. Tancredo is not a politician (in the strictist sense of the word) and I like that. When he went head to head with the WH over immigration and was purposely not invited to the WH Christmas Party he shrugged it off with a "that's the breaks" attitude. I like that, it means he is willing to swim against the tide.