if it is apparent that we cannot, then we have to do and tell the Iraqis the exact same thing that Benjamin Franklin said when he came out of the convention in 1787 and somebody said to him, “Dr. Franklin, what have you given us?” And he said, “A republic, if you can keep it.” It is exactly that time and it is exactly that thing that we have to say to the Iraqi government. We have given you this. We bought it with our blood and sweat. It is now up to you to keep it.
And I want the Iraqis to be in fact patrolling Baghdad. If they need vehicles, you let them have the vehicles. But I want them patrolling their city and putting their lives at risk.
- Tom Tancredo
The best thing said about Iraq to date.
While Tom’s performance was a little uneven, that was an exceptionally good comment and it registered with the audience strongly. I think some of the other candidates wished they had said it first.