Photo of the day
Rep. Tom Tancredo, one of my favorite Republicans, was the lone GOP presidential candidate who showed up at a NAACP presidential forum. The Detroit Free Press reported:
Earlier in the day, and standing in the middle of 10 podiums, nine of them empty but waiting for Republican candidates, U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo asked, “Do you think we should wait a few minutes to see if these other guys show up?”
The Colorado Republican was the only one of 10 GOP candidates who accepted an invitation to speak at the convention.
“Do they know something that I don’t know,” Tancredo said. “The fact is that I know something that they don’t. We may not agree on all issues, but we do have a very common cause – that the playing field is level for everyone, and the gates of opportunity are open for all.”
One of the leading critics of immigration legislation on Congress, Tancredo used his three-minute opening statement to talk about the issue, calling it one of the most serious domestic problems facing the nation.
“The federal government refuses to do its job,” he said.
The audience gave Tancredo a standing ovation, more because he was the only Republican to show up, rather than approving of his stance on issues.
Unfortunately, Tancredo makes the mistake of assuming that NAACP leaders believe in a “playing field [that] is level for everyone.” They don’t.
Still, I give Tancredo a salute for appreciating that sometimes showing up is half the battle.
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Categories: Tom Tancredo
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Well, I gotta hand it to him — he is certainly one to take his chances and let the chips fall.
Unlike the four RINO’s in the House tonight.
One of mine too.
There’s not too much neo about him other than a return to traditional morals & values.
That the RNC wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole speaks volumes about where the Republican party is with Conservatism.
This guy is awsome. We need to have him cloned. They expected that no one would show up. I guess Tancerlot killed that horse.
He will do what is best for America and Americans (real US Americans) and he puts us before political or selfish gains, every time. Cant say that about too many politicians.
A true conservative.
Thx Tom. Keep it up!
I trust this guy more right now than any other republican running in the primary and a lot of that has to do with his stance on illegal immigration. I think I heard somewhere that he was banned from the White House by the Bush Administration because of that…which may be something to brag about considering the rhetoric on the issue coming from the White House. I guess anything that makes you stand out from the pack right now is good.
Wow, that was a great story. It’s too bad that he really was the only one there.
Tancredo is the only candidate who takes principled stands on issues and is thus able to defend them in any arena. Perhaps many in the NAACP would disagree with his statement about a level playing field, however this is the nature of leadership. Most of the other candidates have custom tailored their platforms based on polling data instead of on the core principles of their candidates, and so they would not fair well in such a debate where the topics fall outside of their pre-formulated positions and talking-points.
Obviously there is also the issue that Tancredo doesn’t have as much to lose as the top tier candidates, and while this is a major factor, it’s not the only one, IMO.
Tancredo may not be as slick as some of the other candidates but true “leaders” rarely are.
Tancerlot has cajones the size of watermelons. He must have suspected he was going to a hostile crowd. Julian Bond compared Katrina to lynching. That sounds like someone who’s going to give a warm reception! What happens? The Rep. gets a standing ovation.heh.
I agree. Both the RNC and the MSM have been spouting how “unelectable” he is from day one. It’s unfortunate that way too many “conservatives” follow their lead.
I agree.
If Thompson doesn’t get his butt in gear, I will be back to fully supporting Tancredo, whether Fred decides to run or not.
(Fred has a better chance, but Tom speaks what we are all thinking)
If only Fred had such cajones - if he had decided to participate in this debate and walk out on stage, what a start to a presidential campaign.
Tommy, hang in there. Keep speaking the ’secure our borders’ mantra. Let all of the others know what a truly concerned American looks and sounds like.
Gentlemen, this is the bar - try to make a honest attempt to meet it.
In the words of Boris Pasternak, he brings with him the naked power of unarmed truth. Way to go!
Strong and consistent on Immigration, National Security (Defense, War on terror), on Social Issues, is Tom Tancredo the One?
He is the one I correspond with more often than any other candidate.
I urge him to spread his message and to campaign vigorously, although I know it’s tough for someone who stands on principles -in a political world where hypocrisy and lies are rampant- and with limited resources.
Rep. Tancredo has earned my highest and utmost respect for being courageous enough to show up and discuss the issues. This is part of the reason why I am still upset at the Democrats for not wanting to go to the Fox News debate.
“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
-Woody Allen
Tancredo appears to have a new feature on his website, (at least I haven’t noticed before), which includes several YouTube videos of his recent TV appearances.
http://tancredo.house.gov/default.aspx
Bless his heart. Can anyone get Col. North to throw his hat in the ring?
COOL
The term doesn’t have much meaning to me in the context that such groups usually tend to use it. Teams kick the bejeebers out of other teams on “level playing fields” all of time.
oops that last post hould read -
“Teams kick the bejeebers out of other teams on “level playing fields” all of the time.”
Fridays issue of the Washington Times has an opinion piece by Tancredo:
Eisenhower and illegals
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070713/EDITORIAL/107130006/1013/EDITORIAL
Question: Does the NAACP condemn the Democratic candidates for refusing to appear in a debate by Fox News, even when the Congressional Black Caucus would co-sponsor? If yes, then I nod in appreciation of their offered forum and give kudos to Tancredo. If no, then I flatulence in their general direction, still give kudos to Tancredo, but hold nothing against the other Republicans.
The NAACP can only control its debates and invite all who wish to attend. Other organizations where the other candidates choose to go (or not go) is not the decision the NAACP can really say. It’s like the NAACP trying to tell the CPD where the Presidential debates should be held. They are independent of one another IMO.
Definitely a bigger man than me. I would not give the naacp the time of day . We will need someone with his strength and leadership.
He has been my front runner since the first debate . Why he is not higher up in the polls is beyond me . To down to earth and not political enough .It’s still early so we’ll see . But maybe he would run independent if not nominated .We have the blogosphere now. It could work for us again.
I just love Tancredo and am hopeful he is picked as the VP to hopefully Fred who will announce in August and really I am glad he is waiting this started way to early and I for one am sick of all the Presidential talk in July of 07.
Unfortunately, the best ones usually are “unelectable”. This speaks volumes about the shape our system is in today.
Timothy S. Carlson -
Tim, do some research. Fred is very close to McCain and has previously been an open borders politician when he was in the Senate, though, like Romney, he’s singing a different tune now that he’s running - he’s a great actor! you can tell much about a person by the company he keeps (McCain). I think he also supported McCain - Feingold. yeah, a real conservative.
Please - conservatives, support the real conservative now or we may not have a real choice in ‘08.
TANCREDO FOR PRESIDENT.
Oh good Lord not this again. He’s given more than one explanation in speeches and columns he wrote about this. Try searching for them.
I don’t see how we can bash the Dems for cancelling their Fox News debate, if our guys are afraid to debate in front of the NAACP.
I don’t get it. You can show up in the assumption that you face a hostile audience, and proceed to mouth campaign platitudes until your allotted time is over. Or you can talk past the audience and hope that your televised remarks reach some future Michael Steele watching his TV at home. But if you boycott the thing entirely, you give ammunition to Democrats who want to paint the GOP as racist.
Memo to Giuliani: fire the campaign adviser who told you to skip this debate. It would be better to face hostile questioning about race relations in NYC during your tenure early in the campaign. You should have been there.
I don’t see how Republicans can attend any function sponsored by the NAACP until the organization apologizes for remarks made by former Chairman Julian Bond who accused Bush of selecting cabinet appointees from “the Taliban wing of the Republican party.”
Other statements made by Bond also insulted millions of decent Republicans, comparing them to southern slave owners. I applaud the decision of the major candidates to avoid the NAACP.
Tom Tancredo is “unelectable” only as long as you - the sheeple - allow MSM to select our nominees. Voting for a front runner instead of someone you truly identify with will not give you any validation as an American. It is sad that people lack the American spirit of individualism to take a principled stand and support a candidate with principles. I know all reading this blog are not conservatives, but if you are, Tom Tancredo is the candidate that has voted conservative throughout his career and not been bullied by “W” and the RNC. Show some (as one blogger put it) “cajones” and support (financially as well as with your voices) the true conservative.
God bless our troops, America and Americans.
The NAACP buried the N Word, they want to be considered Moral Authorities. The Taliban tried the Morals Police thing in Afgahanistan, it didn’t work out so well for them and I believe President Bush had something to do with that! I see a conflict with the messages being delivered by this group.
I loce Tanc, but would rather he come back here to Colorado and run for Senate. We are on the verge of losing the seat held by Wayne Allard who is not running for re-election. We already got Salazar who campaigned as a conservative leaning democrat, and that lasted all of a month or so. Next democrat will be a full on lefty, and the republican party in Colorado is so disfunctional they can’t seem to put the right guy up for election.
You’re preaching to the choir friend. I agree with you wholeheartedly, but those who will complain and then vote for the status quo or not vote at all are the problem.
I was watching the Factor and Bill O’Reilly had on the actor Sam Waterson from Law and Order and he has started a movement. I followed up online and looked into it.
http://www.unity08.com/news/pr_120506
More like pandering to an irrelevant racist association. The NAACP’s focus is NOT the advancement of colored people. Their primary objective is to fill the coffers with money, and perpetuate racial stereo types in our society.
Hey, NAACP……… If you want to end racial discrimination, then stop discriminating on the basis of race!
NAACP - National Association of Retarded People
Excellent. I think it’s a mistake not to show. No matter what the NAACP has said, it’s a great chance to explain why their leaders are wrong, and how the Conservative agenda benefits everyone including African Americans. Not showing up is interpreted by many African Americans as being “dissed” whether that “dis” is only disinterest, or as bad as disrespect. It takes time to change minds, and how will that happen if the young African Americans only hear one side?
But you can’t pander to every group of idiots out there…… There are not enough hours in the day.
But the problem is that they don’t want to hear that, and it would be taken more offensively then not showing up in the first place……YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID!
It’s not just the NAACP the candidates are addressing. I am not a member of the NAACP but I am very much interested in what Tancredo has to say more so because he has enough to sense to show up and articulate why he believes what he believes. It’s better to show up and be disagreed with than to not show up at all, right RagingRepub?
How is expressing your point of view pandering to idiots? Many African Americans will note that Tancredo showed up to explain himself at a traditional African American forum, and will be willing to maybe hear a little more from this man.
Who will persuade them more - Tancredo or those who refer to them as “Retarded People”, “idiots” and “stupid”?
It wasn’t “taken more offensively then not showing up in the first place” - he got a standing ovation.
I say again: it would be taken more offensively and be far more damaging then not showing up in the first place……YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID!
He didn’t say anything of any significance about this significant issues facing the black community today. He just talked about immigration.
The problem with the NAACP is that they are professional racists. They do nothing for the advancement of colored people in our society. They stick their heads in the sand with regard to issues like teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, aids, high crime rates, unmarried pregnancy rates, etc.
This is what you are challenging these people to show up and challenge the NAACP leaders about…… and it wasn’t done. He just touched on immigration. So, what did he accomplish by ’showing up” ?????
May I quote DarkKnight?
“…but I am very much interested in what Tancredo has to say more so because he has enough to sense to show up and articulate why he believes what he believes.”
Isn’t that a good start?
OK, I will concede that he ’showed up’ but I really find that hard to stand up and cheer about.
A lot of the people at this forum will also be listening at the Howard University Debate in September. I guess RagingRepub thinks its stupid of the GOP to show up there too.
Of course you can quote me Aloha because I think that I am not the only one who appreciates someone who knows that it could be a hostile environment. I imagine that he walked away thinking that it wasn’t nearly as hostile as he thought. African Americans are just as thoughtful and engaging and open to listening to others are anybody. If GOP candidates walk into a church, they are not booed. They are listened to and respected like everyone else IMHO.
I understand your point in that it could have been a perilous situation Raging. But I just think that the NAACP and African Americans in general should be given more credit in their ability to listen to alternative voices, no matter if the topic is Iraq, immigration, social security, whatever.
If your a party hack follow the party candidate, if your a concerned American follow the 2 real conservatives running for the presidency…Tancredo and Hunter.
Their closet doors are unlocked also.
I never said that…..don’t make hypothetical assumptions.
That would be a welcome surprise Raging, so you do think it’s wise for the GOP to show up to the Howard U. Debates? No doubt members of the NAACP are going to be there. What about your “you can’t fix stupid” logic?
I have no problem with it. The debate is being held at Howard Univ not at the NAACP headquarters. Why should they not go to Howard Univ.? Because it is a black college???? Now that would be racist wouldn’t it (BTW: thanks for assuming I am a bigot). Not going to the NAACP headquarters would be because you don’t agree with the role that the NAACP plays in our society.
John Edwards and Harry Reid protested the Democratic debate that was scheduled to be on Fox News after the Dem National Party already decided to have it on Fox. (See Post) That I think is a little imature, especially considering that the debate was already scheduled.
Yup. And they can’t hear alternative voics if those voices are petrified of even just showing up. Although it’s not very likely this debate will put Tancredo over the top, it certainly earns him some cred in the intestinal fortitude department.
On July 13th, 2007 at 3:17 pm, The Raging Republican said:
No argument here. See post #13.
On July 13th, 2007 at 4:11 pm, purplepeep said:
Exactly. They shouldn’t be petrified of showing up. Did they think they’d be booed??? Oh, I guess that would hurt their feelings… C’mon. They should’ve shown up. End of story.
“John Edwards and Harry Reid protested the Democratic debate that was scheduled to be on Fox News after the Dem National Party already decided to have it on Fox. (See Post) That I think is a little imature,”
Not immature. Terrified. The Dems act like they’re above Fox and are walking some moral high ground, but most of them have no experience answering hard questions because the MSM just give them softballs. (Hm, that didn’t come out right. Might still be appropriate, though.)
We’re wasting valuable time between now and the election talking about Fred and the like. We need to start getting a loud voice about this “no Dem debates on Fox” and scare them into showing up for a debate - where the only tough questions which will ever see the light of day toward a Dem can be asked - and answers demanded. It really is important. We’re behaving impotently by assuming never showing up on Fox is a done deal, but these people need to be held to account and maybe, just maybe, when the larger public gets a whiff of the real Hillary, they won’t elect her President.
So get off your lazy duffs everyone and start making demeaning jokes about the Dems being afraid of Fox News! - nothing is more devistating than satire!
NOW!