Posted on 01/25/2007 11:56:52 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - White House hopeful Tom Tancredo said Thursday the existence of the Congressional Black Caucus and other race-based groups of lawmakers amounts to segregation and should be abolished.
"It is utterly hypocritical for Congress to extol the virtues of a colorblind society while officially sanctioning caucuses that are based solely on race," said the Colorado Republican, who is most widely known as a vocal critic of illegal immigration.
"If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses," said Tancredo, who is scheduled pitch his longshot presidential bid this weekend in New Hampshire.
Tancredo's request, relayed in a letter to Administration Committee Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., revived his effort to change House rules to abolish the groups. Besides the Congressional Black Caucus, Democrats also have a Hispanic caucus with 21 members, and Republicans have a comparable Hispanic conference with five full members and 11 "associate" members who are not Hispanic.
The request comes in the wake of reports that freshman Rep. Stephen Cohen (news, bio, voting record), D-Tenn., was refused admission to the Congressional Black Caucus because he is white. All 43 members of the caucus are black.
Cohen said in a statement that he told a reporter that he would be honored to join the caucus but did not apply, "nor has the CBC denied membership to me."
The political Web site Politico.com, which first reported the issue, quoted Rep. William Clay, Jr., D-Mo., as saying the black membership in his group is "an unwritten rule."
Tancredo is chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, which seeks to toughen border security to stem illegal immigration from Mexico. He also opposes guest worker programs and immigration proposals by President Bush, saying they would facilitate more foreigners coming to the United States illegally.
He won re-election in November from voters in his south-Denver district with 59 percent of the vote.
"If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses,"
Start up a Congressional White Caucus and see hell break loose.
might as well shut down the women's caucus too.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
FINALLY!!
Tom, you're winning me over!!!
I think it is a spectacular idea. I like him too bad he will never be even considered for President. Too EXTREME! (sarcasm)
Bullseye!!
When questioned on the matter, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of People (NAAP) agreed with him.
Best idea I've heard in ages.
He just called the CBC for what it really is, racist and bigoted organization of elected Liberal Black Democrats!
He has a 100 Rating from the American Conservative Union.
I'm just learning about this guy so please inform me.
He is absolutely right. What if someone set up a "white caucas"?
**Start up a Congressional White Caucus and see hell break loose.**
Yep.
I'm still waiting for WET (White Entertainment Television)
"What if someone set up a "white caucas"?"
Well, allow me to speculate.
I don't think it would ever be "set up". It would never get that far. I'm not sure any founding members could handle the backlash and all the name-calling and attacks and how all that might effect their lives or their families lives.
Name one "white activist".
Rhetoric as you already see on the thread will be the death of FR,, staying on topic is a lost art around here these days.
at this stage of the race which is very early on, the more out there trumpeting issues for as long as they can , the better.
People can say what they want to about Tom Tancredo but he isn't playing politically correct. So many politicians think the only way to get elected is to not rock the boat.
Tom Tancredo is rocking boats that alot of people agree need to be rocked and I look forward to people answering to the things he brings to this race. (Pun intended)
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