Tom Tancredo presidential campaign, 2008

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Tancredo for a Secure America
Campaign U.S. presidential election, 2008
Candidate Tom Tancredo
Congressman (1999-present)
Affiliation Republican Party
Status Withdrawn
Headquarters Denver, Colorado
Key people Bay Buchanan (Senoir Advisor)
Phil Alexander (Advisor)
Receipts US$6.2M (2007-12-31)[1]
Slogan For a Secure America!
Website
www.teamtancredo.com

The Tom Tancredo presidential campaign, 2008 for President of the United States began with the announcement of candidacy by the Colorado Congressman on April 2, 2007. [1] Since then the campaign had garnered grassroots support and endorsements from conservative Republicans concerned about illegal immigration and border security. However the candidate remained low in the polls and was criticized for his nativist campaign which had been described as "single-issued". Tancredo has stated he probably would not win the nomination but hoped his campaign would bring forth more debate on his issue of concern, immigration.[2] On December 20, 2007 Tancredo withdrew from the presidential race, and endorsed Mitt Romney. [3]

Contents

[edit] Campaign development

Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado)
Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado)

Prior to his announcement early in 2007, draft movements sprung to try to convince Congressman Tancredo to run for President of the United States. Tancredo responded to the draft efforts by stating that he would only start a campaign if a candidate already in the race didn't extensively address the issue of Immigration and stay committed to conservative principles. [1] After Tancredo's announcement on April 2, 2007, he immediately began campaigning in the strategically important state of New Hampshire making his first appearance at a meeting and a speech in Hudson and Nashua on April 4. Following this, Tancredo campaigned in the first caucus state of Iowa on April 14 at a fundraiser in Des Moines. As of November 2007, Tancredo has made over 90 campaign appearances in the state of Iowa (more than any other) and has appeared in Des Moines five times. [4] He has appeared in New Hampshire around 35 times and sporadically in other states in the same span. [5]

Until June the campaign never took off in the polls nor in funds and received little media attention with the exception of the May 15 GOP debate in South Carolina. However Tancredo was given an opportunity to discuss immigration and attack the Bush administration and fellow Republican members of Congress at a GOP debate in New Hampshire on June 5, 2007. His criticism was directed mostly at top tiered candidate John McCain for his support of the failed "Amnesty bill". But throughout the night he continually criticized the policies of the Bush administration which he labeled as "liberal". When asked what President Bush's role would be in a Tancredo administration, he reflected on a time in 2003 when he was told by Karl Rove to "[not] darken the doorstep of the White House" because of his criticism of the president. Tancredo concluded that President Bush would be advised to do the exact same thing if he ever became president. During the debate in regards to immigration and Republican members of Congress, Tancredo said the following: [6]

“ We're not just talking about the number of jobs that we may be losing or the number of kids that are in our schools and impacting our school system or the number of people that are abusing our hospital system and taking advantage of the welfare system in this country. We're not just talking about that. We're talking about something that goes to the very heart of this nation: whether or not we will actually survive as a nation.And here's what I mean by that. What we're doing here in this immigration battle is testing our willingness to actually hold together as a nation or split apart into a lot of balkanized pieces.We are testing our willingness to actually hold on to something called the English language, something that is the glue that is supposed to hold us together as a nation. We are becoming a bilingual nation. And that is not good. And that is the fearful part of this. The ramifications are much, much more significant than any that we've been discussing so far. And so, yes, I have said dramatic things. And, yes, I am willing to do whatever is necessary to try to stop this piece of legislation. And that includes go after any Republican that votes for it, because the Republicans can stop this. ”

As July approached and came to its close, Tancredo's standing improved somewhat with the looming Ames Straw Poll. His strategy to focus on Iowa continued and the number of grassroots supporters in the state increased. On July 31 the campaign developed an interesting new strategy, offering a trip to Washington, D.C. and a tour of the capitol to anybody who brought 25 Tancredo supporters to the straw poll. [7] On the day before, supporters in Iowa distributed T-shirts which read "I'm a Member of Tom's Army Against Amnesty". Interviewed supporters were asked why they supported the candidate, they replied, "He really has the concerns of America at heart, he's concerned about the culture of America itself. What's happening to the bedrock of American culture." [8] Tancredo finished in a surprising fourth place at the Ames Straw poll with over 14% of the vote. It was won by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. [9]

“ all I've heard is people trying to out-Tancredo Tancredo. ”

—Tom Tancredo

On August 31 Tancredo shifted momentarily to a new issue. On the two year anniversary since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans he called for funds to be withdrawn and federal aid be cut off for the recovery effort. He remarked that it was time, "the taxpayer gravy train left the New Orleans station". The move was perhaps a step for the candidate to woo fiscal conservatives and advocates for states' rights commenting "At some point, state and local officials and individuals have got to step up to the plate and take some initiative, the mentality that people can wait around indefinitely for the federal taxpayer to solve all their worldly problems has got to come to an end." [10]

In September Tancredo participated in two debates which received much media attention for the decisions of top tiered candidates to not participate in them. He attended the Values Voters Debate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on September 17, 2007. In the straw poll that followed, Tancredo came in seventh place with 2% of the vote. Mike Huckabee won the straw poll with 63%. Tancredo also appeared at the Black Caucus Debate on September 27 at Baltimore, Maryland which aired on PBS. During this debate he commented that the economic differences between African-Americans and Anglo-Americans has "nothing to do with race." Tancredo also discussed illegal immigration during the debate. [11]

On September 25, 2007 Tancredo became the first presidential candidate to be interviewed on Wikinews. He discussed gay issues, immigration, and federalism among others. Interesting to note was when Tancredo was asked who it would be if he had to support a Democratic Party candidate running for president, Tancredo chose Illinois Senator Barack Obama remarking: [12]

“ Although I couldn’t vote for him, if I had to support one for a nominee it would be Obama, and I would do so because first, I believe we could beat him [laughs], but secondly, and less cynically, I think it would be very good to have a black man, a good family man, and a very articulate man, to have him as a role model for a lot of black children in this country. ”

In October with the World Series approaching and Tancredo's team the Colorado Rockies representing the National League he decided to make a bet with fellow candidate Mitt Romney whose team the Boston Red Sox were representing the American League. Tancredo proposed that he would drop out of the race if Boston won but only if Romney agreed to drop out if Colorado won. Luckily for Tancredo, the Romney campaign turned down the bet and Boston won the world series. [13]

On November 13, 2007, the Tancredo campaign released a controversial advertisement called "Tough on Terror" in which a hypothetical terrorist attack occurs in a shopping mall. The ad blames inept border security for the attack and flashes images of an injured child and a wrecked train. After Tancredo gives his approval for the message with the comment "I approve this message because someone needs to say it," a voiceover states, "There are consequences to open borders beyond the 20 million aliens who have come to take our jobs... the price we pay for spineless politicians who refuse to defend our borders against those who come to kill." [14] Since its release the ad has received much criticism from some who call it "cheap" and "blatant fearmongering". Bowdoin College political scientist Michael Franz likened the advertisement to the Daisy ad run by Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 Presidential election claiming that the election of Barry Goldwater would lead to a nuclear war. The other Republican candidates in the race have not commented on the ad. [15]

After droping out of the race, Tancredo endorsed Mitt Romney
After droping out of the race, Tancredo endorsed Mitt Romney

On November 15, 2007, in a move poking fun at Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and building on the recent media coverage aimed at his campaign for the previously mentioned advertisement, Tancredo received a haircut for $400 which was used to donate money to the Autism Society of America. The haircut was given by David Holden of New Hampshire whose son is afflicted with autism. [16]

In early December Tancredo declined an invitation to a Spanish-language debate featured on Univision as a protest to immigrants who do not learn English. He did, however, participate in the November 28, 2007 debate where he accused his opponents, most notable Mike Huckabee of trying to "out-Tancredo, Tancredo" on the issue of illegal immigration. [17]

On December 20, 2007 Tancredo dropped out of the presidential race and thus ended his campaign. [18] He cited that it had become apparent to him that he could not win the race but was glad at what he perceived as the new positions of his opponents on illegal immigration, believing that "we've (The Tom Tancredo campaign) forced them into that [rhetoric]..." Tancredo also cited Huckabee's surge as a reason for his withdraw, stating his disagreements with the Governor made it important to help Romney secure the nomination. [19] While announcing his withdrawal, Tancredo also announced that he was endorsing Mitt Romney for President in 2008, citing Romney as "the best hope for our cause [of immigration reform]." [20]

[edit] Polling

About one year before entering the race on June 5, 2006, Tancredo won the Macomb County Straw Poll in Michigan. He received 60 of the 327 votes cast or 18% of the vote. Tancredo beat out the second place finisher Rudy Giuliani by 15 votes. [21] On February 13, 2007, the American Conservative Union issued ratings for potential presidential candidates for the 2008 election.[22] Tancredo took first with a lifetime ranking of 99 out of 100. The website ConservativesBetrayed.com polled 525 people who attended CPAC 2007, and 88.1% believed that Tancredo would govern as a conservative. Newt Gingrich polled next at 87.9%.[23]

In general polling, Tancredo has faired far worse than in straw polls. Early polls have both put Tancredo above and below the 1% mark. However in November 2007 he slightly moved up in polling reaching the 2% mark and coming out ahead of his closest rival, California Congressman Duncan Hunter. In a November 16 Gallup poll Tancredo stands in seventh place at 2% trailing Texas Congressman Ron Paul by 3%. [24] In a head to head matchup done by Rasmussen Reports on August 29, 2007, Tancredo trailed New York Senator Hillary Clinton by 13% finishing with 37% to Clinton's 50%. In a head to head matchup with Barack Obama administered on the same day, Tancredo finished with 31% to 48% for Obama. [25]

[edit] Financials

Individual contributions make up the most of the campaign cash that Tancredo has received thus far, being about 97% of his total pocketbook. PAC contributions have been low, only around $75,500, of the $1,311,869[26]. He has granted himself $200 for his campaign and has received no federal funding. $88,457 of his money comes from interest from the campaign's bank accounts and loans from outside sources. It should be noted that the majority of Tancredo's funds are not disclosed[27] As of September 30, 2007 the campaign raised $3,538,244 and spent $3,458,130, leaving only $110,079 cash on hand.

Ronald Robinson of the Young America's Foundation donated $1,000 to the campaign. Writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jacob Lentz, donated $250. Michael Bushell, owner of BibleWorks and Pueblo Chieftain newspaper publisher Robert Rawlings both gave $500 to Tancredo's campaign. [28]

Tancredo has qualified for and will accept public funds from the Presidential election campaign fund checkoff. [29] However, since he has pulled out of the race, Tancredo will return the matching funds.[30]

[edit] Advisors and endorsements

The biggest endorsement that Tancredo received was that of Bay Buchanan, the sister of perrenial presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and former Treasurer of the United States under President Ronald Reagan. Immediately following her endorsement she was named the Senior Advisor of the campaign. Other advisors include Phil Alexander, formerly of the Buchanan campaigns in 1996, and 2000. New Hampshire advisor, Shelly Uscinski formerly the New Hampshire chairman of the Christian Coalition. Iowa advisor and former U.S. Senate candidate in 2002 Bill Salier. And campaign official Tim Haley, the former campaign manager of Pat Buchanan's Reform Party run in 2000. [28]

[edit] Criticism

The campaign has been criticized for as wide ranging issues as Tancredo's speaking abilities and performances in debates to the categorization of his campaign as "unwinnable" and "one-issued".

After the October 9, 2007 Dearborn GOP Debate, Tancredo was criticized by the conservative blog, "Republican Ranting" for stuttering and stumbling, citing this as causing him major problems in the debate. Also cited was the following exchange with Sam Brownback: [31]

Tancredo: Sam, I don’t, your mom, if she was a postal worker, believe me, she didn’t need a union on top of civil service benefits
Brownback: Don’t pick on my mother
Tancredo: I’m sure she was a sweetheart.
Brownback: Leave my mother out of this.
Tancredo: Especially with regard to, need I say it, illegal immigration…
Brownback: My mother is not an illegal immigrant.

A writer at the blog Farmeruminations, spoke about his experience at the August 12, 2007 Iowa Straw poll stating that "Tancredo...stuttered and stumbled, spoke during the applause, lost his place several times, so had to look at the written copy, not a good performance by any standard." [32]

Tom Tancredo on Fox News
Tom Tancredo on Fox News

The campaign has been criticized for focusing too heavily on the issue of Immigration which has given the candidate the appearance of running a one-issue campaign. During an exchange on the August 22, 2007 edition of Hannity and Colmes, Geraldo Rivera and Tancredo got into a lively argument over sanctuary cities and a murder committed by an illegal immigrant in Newark, New Jersey. Rivera remarked: [33]

First of all, this was the 60th homicide in Newark this year, and I'm sure Congressman Tancredo has not opined about any of the other homicides, and only became interested in this one when it became clear that one of the six alleged perpetrators came to this country illegally at the age of 11. That's one thing.

Number two, why was this person, this one of the six around to commit this hideous crime? He was out because he had a 31-count indictment for the rape of a child, and he was out on $15,000 bail, instead of the requisite $450,000 bail that he never could have made and never would have been on the street.

It had nothing to do with his immigration status. And it's just being used by advocates of this crushing anti-immigration policy to make a cheap political point.

The political website "Political Realm" sums up Tancredo's campaign profile with the statement that "In the end, Tancredo is a single-issue candidate and that will not be enough to carry him over the top." [34] Tancredo himself acknowledges that he is a one-issue candidate making the statement at a speech in to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), "If you want to call me a single-issue candidate, that's fine, just so long as you know that my single issue is the survival and the success of the conservative movement in America."[35] Tancredo remarked that his campaign is not about winning the nomination but instead winning over people to his point of view in the race: [2]

“ ...they can say, 'That guy is a racist xenophobe. That guy is just so crazy that we can take a more moderate stance.' To tell you the truth, that's okay with me. It is not the worst thing in the world to have changed the debate so significantly, at least among Republicans running for office, that they are willing to say things like 'We will secure the border' and "We will go after employers." That's the moderate position now... ”

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Colorado Congressman Tancredo Announces 2008 White House Campaign", Fox News, 2007-04-02. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  2. ^ a b "Tancredo's Successful Presidential Campaign", RightWingWatch.org, 2007-11-13. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  3. ^ Tancredo drops out, endorses Romney USA Today Retrieved December 20, 2007
  4. ^ "Tom Tancredo Campaign Events in Iowa", Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  5. ^ "Tom Tancredo Campaign Events in New Hampshire", Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  6. ^ "Republican Presidential Debate", CNN, 2007-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  7. ^ "Rep. Tancredo Offers D.C. Vacation for Votes in Iowa Straw Poll", Fox News, 2007-07-31. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  8. ^ Pappu, Sridhar. "Walking A Hard Line On Campaign Trail in Iowa", Washington Post, 2007-08-11. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  9. ^ Zeleny, Jeff. "Romney Wins Straw Poll", New York Times, 2007-08-11. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  10. ^ Marre, Klaus. "Tancredo slams Katrina spending", TheHill.com, 2007-08-31. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  11. ^ Shear, Michael. "Leading GOP Candidates Skip Debate on Black Issues", Washington Post, 2007-09-27. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  12. ^ "Interview with U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo", Wikinews.org, 2007-09-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  13. ^ "Tancredo Bets Presidential Candidacy on World Series Outcome", Fox News, 2007-10-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  14. ^ "Tom Tancredo Airs Graphic New Ad in Iowa Depicting Terrorist Attack", Fox News, 2007-11-13. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  15. ^ "Tancredo's Politics of Fear", Washington Post, 2007-11-14. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  16. ^ Sanner, Ann. "Tancredo to Get $400 Haircut for Autism", Guardian, 2007-11-15. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  17. ^ Rich, Frank. "The Republicans Find Their Obama", New York Times, 2007-12-09. Retrieved on 2007-12-28. 
  18. ^ Sanner, Ann. "Tom Tancredo to Drop Out of Presidential Race", Fox News, 2007-12-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-20. 
  19. ^ Pearson, Rick. "Tancredo drops out, backs Romney", Chicago Tribune, 2007-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-12-28. 
  20. ^ Doty, Cate. "Tancredo Quits Race, Endorses Romney", New York Times, 2007-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-12-20. 
  21. ^ "Macomb County Presidential Straw Poll", Michigan Republican Party, 2006-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  22. ^ "ACU Ratings for the Likely 2008 Presidential Candidates", American Conservative Union. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  23. ^ "Poll at CPAC Shows Overwhelming Support for New Republican Leadership; Few Believe Bush or Congress Learned From Mistakes; Tancredo, Gingrich, Brownback Seen as Most Conservative", Conservatives Betrayed. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  24. ^ Jones, Jeffrey. "Giuliani Leads, Four More at or Above 10% in GOP Contest", Gallup, 2007-11-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  25. ^ "Tancredo Trails Top Dems by Double Digits", Rasmussen Reports, 2007-08-29. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  26. ^ "Tom Tancredo", Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  27. ^ "Tom Tancredo (R)", OpenSecrets.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  28. ^ a b "Tom Tancredo". Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  29. ^ "Tancredo Second Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2008 Race", Federal Election Commission, 2007-09-12. Retrieved on 2007-12-29. 
  30. ^ Olinger, David. "Tancredo out of presidential race and endorsing Romney", The Denver Post, 2007-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-12-29. 
  31. ^ "October 9th Dearborn Republican Debate", Republican Ranting, 2007-10-10. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  32. ^ "A Recap of the Straw Poll", Farmeruminations.com, 2007-08-12. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  33. ^ "Rep. Tom Tancredo and Geraldo Rivera Face Off Over Sanctuary Cities Putting America at Risk", Fox News, 2007-08-22. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  34. ^ "Candidate Profiles: Tom Tancredo", Political Realm, 2007-05-03. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  35. ^ "Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO)", American Conservative Union, 2007-03-02. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 

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