TANCREDO08 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Below is the Tancredo08 campaign as it unfolded. This comes from wikipedia.org.

In February 2005, Tancredo announced he would seek the Republican nomination for president if all other candidates failed to address the illegal immigration problem. He had already visited early primary states such as New Hampshire.

In July 2005, Tancredo confirmed that he was moving towards a presidential run. A quote from Tancredo's speech in 2007 to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was as follows:
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.

On January 16, 2007, Tancredo announced that he had formed an exploratory committee on seeking the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. He said that the Republican Party needs someone who can offer America a "common sense agenda".

A spokesman for Tancredo's exploratory committee has confirmed that he will not run on a third party platform, and that "they've had no intention to run as a third-party candidate, ever, and we'll never consider that because he's a Republican, period".

On February 13, the American Conservative Union issued ratings for potential presidential candidates for the 2008 election. 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%.

On April 2, 2007, Tancredo announced that he will run for President in the 2008 election. This announcement was made on 1040 WHO Talk Radio in Iowa. He denounced other Republican candidates for their lack of consistency on the illegal immigration issue, the issue on which Tancredo will run. In early April, he also participated in what was billed as the first online presidential debate, against fellow Republican and presidential candidate Duncan Hunter.

In a May 3, 2007 debate among the ten candidates for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, Tancredo was one of three who raised their hands when asked if anyone did not believe in the theory of evolution.

On August 10, 2007, Rep. Tom Tancredo's presidential campaign reportedly was the victim of an e-mail hoax on the eve of the Republican Party straw poll in Ames, Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that a hoax e-mail sent on Friday to almost 500 Tancredo supporters told them — falsely — that chartered busses to ferry them to the daylong events had either been cancelled or delayed.

On September 5, 2007, during a visit to Concord, New Hampshire, Tancredo made it clear that he supports strictly enforcing immigration laws and deporting all illegal immigrants. He believes so-called sanctuary policies provide safe havens for criminals. Tancredo also mentioned his support of the building of a fence between Mexico and the United States, and that Mayors and city councilors who adopt sanctuary city policies should face criminal charges. He urged New Hampshire Governor John Lynch to veto an upcoming immigration bill and demanded the ouster of the bill's sponsors.

On November 13, 2007, the Tancredo campaign released an ad 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. A voiceover comments, "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."

On his 62nd birthday December 20, 2007, Tancredo formally ended his candidacy for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, and endorsed Mitt Romney

Tom Tancredo Presidential Campaign, 2008: From Wikipedia

TANCREDO'S LETTER TO SUPPORTERS ON THE WITHDRAW OF HIS CANDIDACY

From TeamTancredo.org


Dear Friends, It is with my heart full of gratitude and a touch of sadness that I write today to tell you of my intention to end my campaign for the presidency.
As a loyal friend and supporter it is important to me that you understand why I am doing this, even though you may disagree.
For the past ten years I have dedicated my public life to the critical issue of illegal immigration. I believed then –as I do now—that massive uncontrolled illegal immigration threatens our survival as a nation. I could not stand by and let open border politicians and corporate lobbyists sell our country out to the highest bidder.
Then earlier this year when I feared that the issue would not be championed by any of the top candidates I threw my hat in the ring. It was the only way I could be certain that the candidates would be forced to take a stand.
Thanks to your incredible support look what we have accomplished:
Just last week Newsweek declared that “"Anti-immigrant zealot [that would be me] had already won. Now even Dems dance to his no mas salsa tune.” This month alone The Economist, the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal and a score of other newspapers have written similar assessments, grudgingly crediting our campaign with forcing the issue of immigration to the center of the national stage and—more importantly—with forcing every presidential candidate to commit themselves to an immigration plan that calls for securing the borders, opposing amnesty and enforcing the law.
Of course, many of the candidates need to be pinned down on their understanding of the meaning of amnesty, but we have succeeded beyond my most optimistic expectations of a year ago. We even have Hillary jumping through hoops on the issue! So with so much success why drop out of the race now, you are probably asking. For one reason and one reason alone: I believe the cause demands I do so.
The presidential campaign has come down to less than a handful of viable candidates. Unfortunately several of them have abysmal records on immigration and can’t be trusted to do what is needed to preserve this country if they’re elected. My fear is that if I were to stay in this race my votes could be the factor in handing victory to a pro-amnesty politician. Friends, we have done too much, come too far and the stakes are too high to play that hand. And so I am ending my presidential campaign.
I know there are many more battles in our future and you can count on me to stay in this fight with you. We must continue to build the unquestioned momentum that is fueling our movement today. In the weeks ahead, I will write to you again to share with you my plans for the future, and for the immigration reform movement that is transforming American politics.
But for now, I just wish to again express to you my deepest thanks and appreciation for your partnership with me in this historic effort. I also want to wish you a very blessed and merry Christmas!
We have come so far together, and through our efforts we have made a stunning and, I believe, permanent impact on the debate over securing our borders and preserving our nation.
Not a day has gone by in this campaign that I have not thanked God for the dedication of so many Americans like you. I can promise you that as long as He gives me life and strength, I will work hard for our cause and to honor the trust you have placed in me.

With sincere best wishes, Tom Tancredo

THE TANCREDO SUCCESS STORY

From TeamTancredo.org


“The emergence of Trancredoism [sic] as an ideological touchstone for two Republican front-runners is a stunning development, another indication of the Party’s rejection of nearly everything associated with the approach taken by George W. Bush.”
Ryan Lizza, The New Yorker
12/10/07

“He’s made people talk about the immigration issue. He’s helped popularize it as an issue.”
Dennis Goldford, Political ScienceProfessor Drake University
12/18/07

“One of the most conservative Republicans in the 2008 field, the five-term congressman has a solid pro-gun, antiabortion voting record. But his hard-line stance on immigration has earned him national fame.”
Shailagh Murray, Washington Post
12/16/07

“Tom Tancredo is right on all the major issues of the day, plus he has the added distinction of having led the fight in Washington for secure borders, a return to national sovereignty and against the kind of creeping internationalism that has characterized George W. Bush's failed presidency.”
Joseph Farah, World Net Daily
12/14/07

“Tancredo has taken his tough talk on the political road in an underdog campaign that has pushed Republican White House contenders to talk more about illegal immigration. Tancredo pulls no punches on his signature issue.”
Eunice Moscoso, Austin American-Statesman
12/16/07

“Congressman Tom Tancredo. He was talking about the festering problem of illegal immigration before it was hip: the violation of the rule of law, the national security threat, the economic and cultural impact, and the fundamental unfairness. Often dismissed as a cranky Johnny-One-Note, Tancredo persevered until the American people -- and the rest of the political class -- paid attention. For almost single-handedly getting -- and keeping -- illegal immigration on the national agenda: thank you.”
Monica Crowley, Human Events
11/22/07

“Anti-immigrant zealot has already won. Now even Dems dance to his no mas salsa tune.”
Newsweek
12/10/07

“I applaud presidential candidate Tom Tancredo of Colorado. His actions and his loyalty to our country do not need translation.”
Tony Dolz, American Chronicle
11/18/07

“The most remarkable thing about Tom Tancredo is that he is practically single-handedly responsible for the fact that there is a debate on illegal immigration rather than outright capitulation to the amnesty crowd.”
David Morris, thebatt.com
11/19/07

“…Mr Tancredo speaks for a sizeable portion of the Republican base. He helped to replace Mr McCain's immigration-reform bill with a harsher measure that authorised the building of a 700-mile (1,100km) fence along the Mexican border. And he—or at least Tancredoism—is having a remarkable influence on the Republican debate.”
The Economist
12/13/07

“I never liked someone I disagreed with so strongly. He believes he is doing the best thing for his country. I watched him talk to rabid anti-immigrant groups for two days, and he never spoke with anger, just sadness that something he loves is being lost.”
Joel Stein, LA Times
11/22/07

“Bush stuck his neck out on illegal immigration and was shouted down by the Tancredos in his own party. If Bush couldn't get immigration reform past that bloc, it seems even more dubious that a Democratic president would fare any better.”
Jane Roh, National Journal
12/5/07

A MODERN AMERICAN STATESMAN PULLS OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

TANC TURNS OUT THE LIGHTS ON PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, ENDORSES GOV. ROMNEY.

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo at a press conference in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday afternoon where he announced that he is withdrawing from the Presidential race. (Photo courtesy of CNN)

The man credited with bringing illegal immigration to the front of the 2008 Presidential campaign is no longer in the race himself.

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, a statesman who has made a name for himself in the past five years on the issue of illegals, left the 2008 campaign with an announcement at the Des Moines, Iowa, Marriott Thursday afternoon.

Tancredo, who said himself that he had no serious shot at the White House, said his mission in the Presidential bid had been achieved. "I am ecstatic about the fact that we can say we have made remarkable progress along those lines," Tancredo said during the announcement. "According to Newsweek, the Tancredo campaign has already won." His aim in running was to bring illegal immigration to the front of the national debate and to pressure the frontrunners into staking out similar positions to him on the issue.

As expected, Tancredo took the moment to endorse a candidate. Not suprisingly, that candidate was the one he expects to carry on his torch to get the job done on securing the borders and on national security. That candidate he chose to endorse is former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Some are showing suprise to Tanc's decision on Romney. They shouldn't when they look behind the logic of his decision. Tanc is trying to do what he can to ensure that Mayor Giuliani, Governor Huckabee, and Senator McCain do not win the nomination. He appears concerned at the rise of Huckabee, and timed his decision to try to support the candidate best primed to ward off a amnesty-supporting candidate. Many, including myself, expected Tom to either endorse fellow Congressman Duncan Hunter from California, or former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson (more likely the latter).

Also possibly factoring into the timing of Tanc's announcement was Monday's decision by Iowa Congressman Steve King, a strong friend and anti-illegal immigration ally of Tanc's, to endorse Fred Thompson. Tanc is believed to have looked upon that choice as the nails on the coffin on his already longshot bid. That choice was also a major reason many expected Tanc to endorse Fred.

The Tancredo08 campaign will be remembered for its strong no-amnesty, pro-border security stand, as well as a campaign in opposition to political correctness and in favor of Western Civilization. Former GOP Presidential contender Pat Buchanan's sister Bay was the campaign manager. Pat shares similar no-amnesty, pro-Western Civilization, courageous, statesman-like stands on the issues.

The Tancredo08 campaign will also be remembered for some controversial moments. Some controversial comments made by Tanc before the campaign resurfaced over the last year. In 2005, Tanc said when we are attacked by radical Muslims again, we should bomb Mecca. In November 2006, Tanc drew fire when he compared Miami to a "Third world country". That statement drew the ire of then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who called Tanc a "nut". Last month, the campaign released a TV ad that depicted a hooded terrorist entering a shopping mall and detonating his backpack. The ad was meant to show the darker side of an open borders policy. The ad finished with a voiceover that said, "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."

The lasting legacy of the Tancredo08 campaign will likely be found in it's original aim, making illegal immigration a forefront issue of the 2008 election cycle. The fact that all the frontrunners are trying hard to form a strong border security platform, regardless of past records and statements, only serves to prove that. Tanc said himself at the CNN/YouTube GOP Debate last month that the other candidates were "trying to out-Tancredo Tancredo" by arguing for stronger border security and enforcement on immigration laws and penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants. On that, CNN's Bill Schneider said, "That is exactly right: The other Republican candidates adopted Tancredo's tough line on illegal immigration. What happens when you out-Tancredo Tancredo? You don't need Tancredo any more."

In October, Tanc announced he would also not run again for his seat in Congress next year. Since 1998, he has served the 6th District of Colorado, which is based in Littleton and serves most of the southern suburbs of Denver, among other places. Today, he announced he would not be too far from the cause of fighting illegal immigration and the attacks on Western Civilization. In a statement, he said that "there are many more battles in our future and you can count on me to stay in this fight with you. We must continue to build the unquestioned momentum that is fueling our movement today. In the weeks ahead, I will write to you again to share with you my plans for the future, and for the immigration reform movement that is transforming American politics."

He has commented on the possibility of opposing first-term Democratic Colorado Senator Ken Salazar in 2010. He said it is something he is considering, and that he intends "to stay in public policy as much as possible".

As I wrote in a previous post, Tanc was the original candidate I endorsed for the 2008 race. I found out about him in the fall of 2005, and shortly afterward began trying to drum up support for him. My support grew to the point that I even had a local shop in my hometown of Cookeville, Tennessee, put a hat together in support of Tanc. When Fred Thompson came on the scene this spring, however, I saw the wisdom in jumping ship to a candidate in better position to actually win the thing. Until this day, I still have great respect and appreciation to Tanc for being willing to enter the fire and stand strong on principle while putting himself into the public eye. He is mostly right on the issues, isn't afraid to make his stand, and will put his all into achieving good for America. He understands how grave the dangers of illegal immigration, attacks on Western Civilization, over-globalization and the decay of traditional family values pose to the futher existence of our great American republic. Not only does he just understand it, however, he is willing to sacrifice comfort and fight these threats head-on, becoming a lightning rod in the process.

God bless ya, Tom, and please keep up the fight. Please come back as a candidate to public office soon!

"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." - Tom Tancredo to the Conservative Political Action Conference in March 2007.

CNN

MSNBC

Tanc's statement on the closing of the campaign

Denver Post

GoogleNews list of stories relating to Tanc's pull out

PoliticsWest Home Page

Slate: Tancredo Defeats Thompson

Tancredo says, "You could take Romney off, put Tancredo on, you'd never know."

Rolling Stone: "Mission Accomplished"

California Rep. Bilbray: Romney "picked a big plum"

Tanc raps Huckabee, McCain

Romney choice a "anti-Giuliani reaction"

Romney thanks Tanc

Tanc won't run for U.S. Senate in 2008, maybe 2010; Huckabee influenced decision to withdraw

Tanc won't run for another House term (10/30/07)

BREAKING NEWS: Tancredo Withdraws, Endorses Romney

Longshot Republican Presidential contender Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado has reportedly just announced in Des Moines, Iowa that he will withdraw his campaign, according to the PoliticsWest blog. The blog also reports that he is endorsing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. That could serve as a boost for Romney, who now is in a good position in the polls in most of the early states. More on this breaking story soon.

DEVELOPING STORY: Tancredo Campaign Plans "Major Announcement" Thursday.

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, a long-shot candidate for the Republican nomination of the Presidency in 2008, has a "major announcement" planned for Thursday afternoon, according to sources. The Congressman, in the race since January, has made a name for himself as a strong opponent to illegal immigration and in support of Western Civilization, opposing all attacks on it.

Rumors have been spreading tonight that his announcement will be that he is withdrawing from the Presidential race. That appears to be confirmed only by one source close to him, but the announcement is still of an uncertain nature.

If he does withdraw at this time, it is believed that he would likely make a bid for the U.S. Senate, either the open seat up for election next year, or against first-term Democrat Ken Salazar in 2010. If he would run for the Senate in next year's election, he would be in for a tough primary run against former fellow-Congressman Bob Schafer, who currently seems to be the lock for the GOP nomination. It also remains to be seen if Tancredo will endorse another candidate for the Presidency should he withdraw. Since the primary motivation for Tancredo's candidacy has been illegal immigration, it would make sense that any candidate he would endorse would be of similar persuasion. It is believed that the only candidates in a good position for a Tancredo endorsement are fellow Congressman Duncan Hunter of California and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson.

The announcement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central time in Des Moines, Iowa. I am following this story and will post any updates as needed. Loyal readers of this blog might remember that Mr. Tancredo is the candidate I originally endorsed before Mr. Fred Thompson appeared on the scene.

Story from Politico

Fred's Getting Some Momentum

It looks like Sen. Fred Thompson is getting some momentum as of late, particularly in Iowa.

The former senator from Tennessee had a huge debate performance last Wednesday in an otherwise lackluster meeting of candidates, and just this week picked up the important endorsement from leading conservative Congressman Steve King of Iowa.

In the Des Moines Register debate in Iowa last Wednesday, Thompson came up with the highlight of the afternoon when he told the moderator off with the line, "I'm not doin' hand shows..today." The moderator, who it turns out is a registered Democrat, asked a question on climate change. Thompson wasn't willing to play the hand show game in another debate. When the moderator asked if that was a yes or no response to the question, Thompson in-turn asked, "You want to give me a minute to answer that?" When the moderator responded no, then Fred said, "Then I'm not going to answer that!"

That combined with his stated, strong positions on the issues, especially entitlements, led to a widely praised victory in the debate for Thompson. From talk radio to the blogosphere to the National Review, the buzz on the debate was positive for Fred, with many from those circles declaring him the winner of the debate.

King's endorsement was actively sought by Thompson and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. King is a nationally-known conservative leader who is outspoken on illegal immigration. His endorsement has the legs to maybe bring Fred serious momentum in this race, especially in Iowa.

Another big boon for Fred in recent weeks is the endorsement by the National Right to Life, the leading organization in opposition to abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and euthanasia.

Once again, there is a buzz in the blogosphere that Fred may be in for a rebound. I expect him to place second or third in Iowa, and from there it's anybody's guess.

FRED PULLS OFF A REAGAN!

This is a YouTube video comparing former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson's, "I'm not doin' hand shows..today" at the Iowa debate on December 12th, to President Reagan's, " I am paying for this microphone" line in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1980. It solidifies why I am behind Fred in 2008, and Reagan's line gives me yet another reason to like our former President.

CNN Might Want To Go Into The Greenhouse Business!

CNN hosted a Republican debate in Florida this last week, as many already know. The most interesting part wasn't the questions or even who won the thing. No, the most interesting part of the debate was all the Democratic-supporting plants asking questions. Remember, only Republicans and Independents leaning Republican were supposed to be the ONLY questioners. However, there were AT LEAST three or four Democratic plants that got their two cents in there. One was a Hillary supporter (who reportedly signed on to work on the Clinton campaign) who asked about homos in the military. A second one was an Edwards supporter who asked about Chinese-manufactured products and what candidates would do about them. An Obama supporter even got in there to ask a question. Common sense would be that these Bush-hating plants were in there only to try to get the GOP candidates to trip up on something to give the Dems good stuff to campaign on.

Why on Earth is CNN in the broadcasting business. They would be better off by being guided by their green thumb and open up a chain of nurseries. The Dems hate Bush, but they sure do a good job in growing bushes at debates!