Thread: Absent Tancredo draws flak

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/e ... 79,00.html

Absent Tancredo draws flak

By Charley Able, Rocky Mountain News
October 5, 2006
The whereabouts of U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo and his absence at a campaign forum featuring two of his 6th Congressional District challengers overshadowed other campaign-related issues Wednesday.
"Donde esta Tom? (Where is Tom?)," asked Juan Botero, a Republican write-in candidate who hopes to be a spoiler to both Tancredo and Democrat Bill Winter.

Winter also raised questions about Tancredo's absence from the district that four times has sent Tancredo to Congress. Tancredo has toyed with the idea of running for president to advance his anti-illegal immigration agenda and has appeared in some early primary states.

"This just follows on his eight-year record of not representing us," Winter said during the forum sponsored by the Chamber of the Americas.

"The very simple fact of the matter is there are a lot of ways he doesn't represent his district and one of them is he doesn't show up and talk to people and answer questions," Winter said.

"Tom Tancredo is not interested in what we want as his constituents; he is interested in pursuing his own agenda."

Tancredo's office issued a written statement saying Tancredo will not show up at any event attended by Botero.

Botero was questioned by U.S. Capitol police last spring after sending out a press release urging the media to investigate Tancredo. The release contained language Tancredo considered threatening.

Both challengers said they have offered Tancredo a number of opportunities to discuss and debate issues such as immigration, health care and education, but have been rebuffed.

"Why will he not debate Juan Botero? What does Juan Botero know that he is afraid of?" Botero asked. "I would counsel him to give the voters the courtesy and the opportunity to hear the differences of opinion."

On other issues, including immigration, Botero and Winter voiced often compatible opinions.

They were asked what should be done to help other countries encourage their people to remain at home instead of following the path to illegal immigration in the United States.

Botero said energy and mining companies doing business in Central and South America should be more involved in boosting their host counties.

"They need to look at their ratios of investment in local economies and education in closing the technology gap. They can still go after the mineral resources, but I think they need to invest more in the infrastructure," Botero said.

Winter said economic assistance should be accompanied by humanitarian assistance.

"It is in our economic interest to help these countries become strong, not only economically, but socially as well," Winter said.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
"This just follows on his eight-year record of not representing us," Winter said during the forum sponsored by the Chamber of the Americas.

What the heck is the Chamber of the Americas? Is that the US Chamber of Commerce on steroids? Maybe Tom was right not to go.

Originally Posted by TimBinh

Originally Posted by Newmexican

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
"This just follows on his eight-year record of not representing us," Winter said during the forum sponsored by the Chamber of the Americas.

What the heck is the Chamber of the Americas? Is that the US Chamber of Commerce on steroids? Maybe Tom was right not to go.

I don't know, but it's possible that this was a set up for a Tancredo bash festival and Tancredo decided not to play. What does he have to gain by appearing with a guy who says up front that he's a spoiler?

Winter is not on my list for a vote.