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.
He is a GREAT AMERICAN that believes people need to enter our country legally, like many of those who came before these stupid liberals did. You idoits, what he is sating is thew truth - but you would sell what made this country great right down the river.
I am sorry to hear these voice of honesty go.
Little did we know that Mr. Tancredo’s campaign schedule would interfere with his family’s annual Christmas vacation in Cancun. Feliz Navidad!
Mr. Tancredo was not my candidate for President. I am a Fred fan. I admire Mr. Tancredo’s passion and will to serve the Greatest Nation in the World. I am sure Mr. Tancredo will continue to serve his community and country in some way shape or form.
One man can make a difference look back at Ronald Reagan and how he changed the world.
I’m sick of this globilization BS. From companies exporting jobs ( no wonder families cant afford health insurance anymore). Cheap China products which are poorly made and generally won’t last any longer than 3 months to this massive influx of ILLEAGALS demanding benefits at the expense of the ones that are just barley getting by. Do we have to shut down the mexican tourism industry or push them all south into central america so we could build that area responsibily and without corruption or ( mor dee dah ).
stop nafta, cafta and any other trade policy’s which are unfair to our working public. Our so called companys are stabbing us in the back and laughing all the way to their huge holiday bonus. Any company’s that wants to manufacuturer elsewhere, should not be allowed to sell their products here anymore. INVEST IN AMERICA and american workers.
Tancredo was my #1 choose!! Vote Ron Paul 2008!!!!!
Thank You Congressman for being a true American!!
What a sad sad day for what is left of this great country. I was going to vote for Tom because
the number one issue on my mind is illegal immigration and I feel he is the only one could help
us take back the control of this great nation. Tom please do not give up the fight.
It is sad that Tancredo is leaving the race. I admired his courage and his positions on illegal immigration. The best shot we have at truly reforming immigration is Ron Paul. Please check him out if you haven’t already. He wants to end birthright citizenship and enforce our borders. He is also honest, principled, and consistent. Seriously folks- he represents hope for America.
Hopefully Congressman Tancredo will endorse Gov Huckabee because of Gov Huckabee’s “Secure America Plan”.
All I can say to you fine people who have supported Tom Tancredo is that the battle is not over for you. We still have a country to save and we still have important battles to fight. Do you want to know how we can afford to enforce security on our borders? If you desire that answer from another candidate than please look into Ron Paul. He is the only other man in this race who truly desires to see us secure our borders and actually has a plan to fix the problem. The Ron Paul grassroots website are rolling out the welcome mats for you as most of us have admired you from afar. Please stop by and say hello whether you agree with us or not!
If you are concerned about the immigration issue and about the size and scope of the federal government, I encourage you to join a Ron Paul meetup. We are active and support Tancredo’s position on this important issue. Since he is dropping out of the race, it is important that you choose a strong voice for change in Washington to support.
You can read Ron Pauls views on immigration and other issues by going to the following site and also by joining the Ron Paul meetup group in your area.
http://ronpaullibrary.org/topic.php?id=5