Tom Tancredo to Drop Out of Presidential Race
Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo plans to drop out of the race during an announcement Thursday afternoon in Des Moines, Iowa, GOP sources close to the campaign have told FOX News.
Tancredo, who has aggressively pushed his anti-illegal immigration message throughout the GOP primary race, has not been able to break through in the polls against his better known competitors. He and California Rep. Duncan Hunter typically poll in the single digits behind Texas Rep. Ron Paul in national surveys.
Tancredo would not personally confirm whether he will pull out of the race.
“I will neither confirm nor deny that report,” Tancredo told FOX News. But he added, “I wouldn’t have a press conference if I didn’t have anything to say.”
The five-term Colorado representative already announced in late October that he would not seek reelection to the House of Representatives in 2008. He said at the time that his core issue of illegal immigration has been elevated to national prominence and that he doesn’t need to remain in Congress to promote it.
Tancredo aired a startling ad a month ago tying illegal immigration to terrorism. The ad showed a man in a hooded sweatshirt and backpack walking into a crowded shopping mall, with the sound of an explosion ringing out after the screen goes dark. The ad then showed bloody pictures of victims of terrorist acts in Europe, while the narrator said: “The price we pay for spineless politicians who refuse to defend our borders against those who come to kill.”
Tancredo focused on the issue at the Republican presidential debate a week ago in Iowa, saying immigration without assimilation is a “catastrophe.”
He also refused to participate in a Spanish-language debate on Univision in early December. He told FOX News he did not want to encourage immigrants in America to speak Spanish as their primary language.
FOX News’ Carl Cameron and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
Rep. Tancredo is a man of integrity. Thank you, Rep. Tancredo, for telling it like it is. Well done, sir.
If indeed Mr. Tom drops out, let’s continue the noble fight againts illegal immigration by supporting Duncan Hunter.
I admire Mr. Tancredo’s refusal to engage in the Spanish language debate. He appears to be the only politician out there who understands American frustration with the illegal immigration debacle. It has nothing to do with being racist or anti-Hispanic. Americans are watching these people invade our country with no desire to assimilate and their refusal to learn English is seen as an attempt to take our identity from us. Also, I will never understand how everyone talks such a big game about national security with our southern border wide open. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are ignoring all of us “regular” people out there and I predict when Tancredo’s commercial becomes a reality there is going to be hell to pay.
What part of ‘illegal’ do some people fail to get?
Re-taking controls of our borders is neither xenophobic nor racist.
I helped a friend to get his wife and child into the US from the PI legally. The process took two years and some INS persons hinted that she could circumvent the rules by coming in via Mexico.
The is now a citizen and a registered voter.
There should be no rewards for line-jumpers.
Tom Tancredo, one of the few True Americans running……You see, all you Hate America Liberals got what you wanted…..the most Reagan Conservative person out there is out of the Race and this country is going to be even worse off if that is even possible….I really dont know how anyone can be a Liberal because everything that is good for this country they are against…..Ladies and Gentlemen this country is going downhill faster than any of you want to believe and Tom Tancredo would’ve been the person to get us back on the right track…..You have the Liberal Huckabee, McCain and Guliani so I am sure the Liberal Media will push those guys for President because they figure those guys will closely fit their agenda…..we real Conservatives need to stick together because if/when another terroist attack happens in this country who are the Liberals going to blame then….
too bad - he is just what this country needs
He is a great leader and definately recognizes the immigration problem. Unfortunately, too many ignorant voters don’t have their priorities in order. Certainly the comments here regarding “racism” come from the most ignorant of our society who are prefer only to take from our country and not contribute. When we are finally taken over by illegals, taxes are out of control, and China fully takes over the commercial markets, it will be too late. I have traveled the world and been to no less than 35 different countries. As such, I have seen first hand what happens as countries implode. Anyone, wishing to ride the”free everything” bandwagon and ignore national security needs to visit Albania or a former Soviet Republic as I have. NOTHING IS FREE and final bill will bankrupt America!
I am saddened that Mr. Tancredo is leaving the race. His meaage on illegal imigration is right on target!
I am in total agreement with Mr. Tancredo and Mr. Duncan Hunter. I think it is imperative that someting be done about our borders. I am very disappionted in our present administration for it’s failure to see this, in light of the ongoing war.
I also feel like illegal-immigration will be the major issue in the upcoming election, and the candidate with the strongest stand will likely win!
I would like to see Tom Tancredo become the head of Homeland Security in the next administration. Maybe then we will finally get the fence that was promised built.
I’m sorry to see the the candidates with the right ideas drop out because of polling data so early, anything can still happen.