Thread: GOP Chairman Says Party Backs Tancredo

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GOP chairman says party backs Tancredo
By STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press Writer
(Updated Friday, July 29, 2005, 8:27 PM)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - The chairman of the Republican Party said Friday the party backs Rep. Tom Tancredo, despite rifts the Colorado congressman has created with some Hispanic groups.

If Tancredo is nominated for a fifth term, the party will back him, Ken Mehlman said. That's a sharp change from 2002, when a spokeswoman for the party said Tancredo did not speak for mainstream Republican values.

"The fact is, we're a big-tent party. I'm proud that we have debate in our party. I think debating the way to protect our borders and protect our national security is a good thing," Mehlman said.

Tancredo has come under fire recently from some Hispanic groups for his calls for tougher immigration enforcement and a proposal to tax some of the money immigrants send outside U.S. borders.

Hispanic and Islamic groups called for his resignation in a Denver protest earlier this week, citing Tancredo's suggestion to target Islamic holy sites if terrorists launch a nuclear attack on the United States.

Spokesman Will Adams said Tancredo has no intention of apologizing or resigning.

Tancredo has visited Iowa and New Hampshire to study the possibility of a presidential bid and said he has found abundant support for his views. He has said he is working to make sure a tough immigration policy is made part of the GOP's platform.

Luis Miranda, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said Republicans including Tancredo are using wedge issues like immigration to pump up their constituents.

"Their record is atrocious," Miranda said. "They seem to be trying to divide America."

Strange. I'm having a hard time believing this. The White House told Tom Tancredo to never darken their doorstep not too long ago.

Now Ken Mehlman says the Republican Party supports him? Well GWB does not support him. Read the letter from Bay Buchanan under Discussions....then read this....hmmm.

You've heard of the "good cop, bad cop" routine!!

I think that is what we have here. They want to support him to keep him a Congressman and out of the Presidential Race. Note, they only said they would support him if he runs for a 5th term.

Besides, Mehlman is just a guy; drawing a salary; his power is the same as ours 1 Man 1 Vote....except for voting machine "gliches".