Rumor: Tancredo dropping out?
posted at 1:30 pm on December 19, 2007 by Allahpundit
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A black Christmas for the Hot Air readership this year.
But for the illuminati working on the North American Union? A merry one indeed.
Tom Tancredo has scheduled a press conference in Des Moines tomorrow afternoon to make a “major announcement regarding the campaign,” according to a media advisory his campaign sent out today.
Asked whether Tancredo intended to drop out of the race, his congressional spokesman, TQ Houlton, said he didn’t know. But Houlton didn’t affirm that Tancredo was staying in and directed calls to the campaign…
Tancredo’s close friend, Rep. Steve King, passed over his colleague and threw his support behind Fred Thompson this week. King and Tancredo have worked closely on immigration and many in Iowa thought King would not endorse as long as Tancredo was in the race.
Think of the ads we’ll be deprived of. For all sad words of tongue and pen…
Exit question: Who will he endorse? The Tancredo immigration imprimatur could be quite a get. It won’t be Huck, whom Tanc called out at the last debate. It won’t be Rudy, thanks to his sanctuary city policy. It probably won’t be Mitt after his landscaping debacle. That leaves the guy endorsed by Steve King himself. He’s only 20 points off the pace. Fredmentum!
Update: Tanc’s quitting the House next year, too, so unless he takes a run at Ken Salazar in 2010 you’ll be seeing considerably less of him in the future.
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Um…Allah…I like Tancredo and all, but this deserves a…
BOMBSHELL!
MadisonConservative on December 19, 2007 at 1:32 PM
Goes a man…
CP on December 19, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Cue the two point bump for Fred.
EduardoOTI on December 19, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Not really. Most folks know that Tancredo had no chance.
baldilocks on December 19, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Tanc said he would run for the Senate if he couldnt be president. So look for that coming up
William Amos on December 19, 2007 at 1:35 PM
Too bad, I hate to see a guy who loves his country exit stage right, because you always knew he meant what he said regardless of what ridicule may come. Though with the aggressive stance on illegal immigration of the other candidates [now], I suppose his work is done.
Spirit of 1776 on December 19, 2007 at 1:36 PM
PLEASE BE TRUE!
Vizzini on December 19, 2007 at 1:38 PM
What he said ^.
Tanc was easy to take potshots at, but I dare say he did as much as if not more than any other politicion to advance the debate on securing the borders.
thirteen28 on December 19, 2007 at 1:38 PM
Tancredo is a super guy. I think Fred will be appealing to his supporters.
TheSitRep on December 19, 2007 at 1:40 PM
I didn’t support his presidential bid, but it would be fun to see him in the same delegation as amnesty hero Ken Salazar.
Slublog on December 19, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Tancelot rides off into the sunset…
Bad Candy on December 19, 2007 at 1:42 PM
I have to say, I have to give The Tanc some credit for his run. When he started out, I thought he was a bit off-the-deep end, but watching his heartfelt performances in the debates and his profession of faith, I gained more respect for him. I wish him well.
CP on December 19, 2007 at 1:43 PM
I think he acomplished what he wanted: Immigration of the front burner. So he wins. I hope he does run for senate.
Iblis on December 19, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Tanc said he intends to run against Salazar. He is upset with him over amnesty
William Amos on December 19, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Thompson/Tancredo ‘08? Not as much fun as Thompson/Bolton ‘08, but I’d still vote for it…
Frozen Tex on December 19, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Can Hailey Barbour appoint him as Lott’s replacement?
factoid on December 19, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Ah. I figured he would run for retiring Wayne Allard’s seat. Taking two years off to make speeches and raise money is a good idea, though.
Slublog on December 19, 2007 at 1:49 PM
That goes for more than just his presidential aspirations. He played a vital role in preventing amnesty in Congress.
amerpundit on December 19, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Et tu, Gilchrist…?
that would’ve been the last straw for me too.
zb42 on December 19, 2007 at 1:53 PM
The ultimate ticket.
Bad Candy on December 19, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Go Fred.
Griz on December 19, 2007 at 1:55 PM
Go Fred!
Boooo Hucknesty!
peski on December 19, 2007 at 2:01 PM
T’nT - Dynamite!
heroyalwhyness on December 19, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Godspeed and good luck Tanc, in whatever path you choose from here.
Assuming he’s dropping out, he deserves credit for doing the honorable thing and stepping aside after it’s become clear that it’s just not his year.
As much as I like Hunter, I wish he’d have the decency to do the same. He’s been hovering around 1% nationally pretty consistantly and dead last in Iowa at 1%- yet was just on Fox News talking about campaigning hard in NH while dodging the question on what he’d consider a success there. What does he hope to accomplish with no money, little support and no organization- fourth place at best?
Duncan, you have zero chance, unjust though that might be. Do the right thing for the party and step aside.
Hollowpoint on December 19, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Thompson/Hunter…that’s the ticket, ’cause we really need Tank in the Senate.
ChrisM on December 19, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Good, he didn’t add any value to the debate at all… let’s lose the dead weight.
DaveS on December 19, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Sounds good! Hope Tanc does endorse Fred and Hunter too once he drops out. Thompson’s positions are closer to the two of them than any of the rest the Republican candidates!
SSG Fuzzy on December 19, 2007 at 2:20 PM
I second that
Mojack420 on December 19, 2007 at 2:20 PM
It was inevitable, i’m sure he was well aware of the longest of shots he had. He forged ahead and awoke the law bidding citizens of America to the invasion at hand. Which if not checked and checked now it will be the end of the country as we know it.
I thank Congressman Tancredo for his efforts and service as a true public servant…and wish him the best of luck in the future in whatever he decides to do…kickin’ butt in the Co. senate race would be nice for us all.
oldernslower on December 19, 2007 at 2:23 PM
He couldn’t withstand the Keyes surge.
JammieWearingFool on December 19, 2007 at 2:24 PM
My daughter will be devastated. She has been on the Tanc bandwagon for two years. Living in So.Cal I can’t blame her.
I dunno about an endorsement yet. He might wait until after Christmas….think it over (wink wink)…Go FRED!
Limerick on December 19, 2007 at 2:28 PM
Waaahhh. I liked watching the Tanc keep the candidates honest on their immigration policies. He’ll be missed. Unlike Keyes.
NTWR on December 19, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Tanc accomplished what he set out to do with this campaign, which was not to become President, but to keep illegal immigration enforcement front-and-center during the campaign. He’s said on more than one occasion pre-announcement that this was his aim, and that he would drop out and endorse whichever major candidate picks up the immigration fight when they emerge. If he’s waiting 2 years to make a Senate run, that sets him up to be just as tireless campaigning for the candidate of his choice until the convention (and maybe beyond) without a reelection of his own to worry about.
Good job, Tanc, keep up the good fight.
crazy_legs on December 19, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Sweeeet….
Frozen Tex on December 19, 2007 at 2:43 PM
This is actually a good thing for opponents of illegals. It was extremely important that Tancredo (and Hunter) drop out before the primary voting begins to allow all anti-illegal opponents to rally around Fred Thompson for the nomination. I expect Hunter will be following his lead soon and I’d expect both of them to endorse Thompson.
I am also expecting the possibility that Gilchrist will reverse his endorsement of Huckabee and that would most likely go to Fred.
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 2:47 PM
Or as Homeland Security Chief?
JDinSC on December 19, 2007 at 2:49 PM
That *is* a Photoshop…isn’t it?
Asher on December 19, 2007 at 3:03 PM
Yeah, but now we have…Alan Keyes…will it never end?
right2bright on December 19, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Now he can devote all of his time to being cukoo for cocoa puffs.
mattshu on December 19, 2007 at 3:22 PM
I believe that after more consideration, Gilchist has chosen to stand by his man. Should play hell with his organization’s fund raising, so there has to be some other carrot that Huck is dangling for him.
a capella on December 19, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Gilchrist doesn’t really have much of an “organization” anymore anyway. His “new” personal Minutemen group is not the orginal that he founded and he doesn’t have anything to do with them after being booted out.
The original Minuteman Project and the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have both publicly stated their lack of agreement with Gilchrist.
After getting bombarded by nasty emails, including several from myself, Gilchrist has actually backed off a little over the last few days and stated that he’s going to “take another look” at his decision. Life has been pretty harsh for Gilchrist over the last week or so.
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 4:04 PM
Tancredo will endorse Hunter.
Redhead Infidel on December 19, 2007 at 4:19 PM
I wouldn’t think so, because Hunter is not in the running. It (in my opinion) would be a wasted endorsement.
I could be wrong, but I think it would defeat Tancredo’s mission, which is to avoid getting someone like Giuliani, McCain, or Huckabee into office. Both Tancredo and Hunter must realize that time is running out and there’s only a few weeks before actual votes start replacing meaningless polling.
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 4:28 PM
I was hoping that Tancredo would stick through at least the first couple of primaries. We greatly needed to keep infusing his focus on the Illegal Alien Invasion problem to the debates and hopefully platform of whoever gets the Nomination.
He’s gotta endorse either Duncan or Fred… They are the only ones that are on the right side of the IAI.
I wonder if I can get the donation I made to TT’s campaign 4 days ago back….. Nah, he can keep it. He deserves it for at least trying to deliver the message.
LegendHasIt on December 19, 2007 at 4:30 PM
I also believe Alan Keyes will eventually endorse Thompson. Watching him being interviewed by Hannity last night, he spent the entire interview ripping everyone except Thompson. Hannity tried to get him to suggest who he would endorse, but it’s foolish for a candidate to answer that question while they’re still in the race.
Keyes isn’t getting a whole bunch of votes, but add them to Tancredo’s and Hunter’s and have them all go to Thompson and it’s going to make a difference, especially if all three publicly endorse him.
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 4:32 PM
I have a hunch Tancredo would disagree that it’s wasted. He’s never been shy about his principles, and he doesn’t tend to do something just because it’s politically expedient. He’ll make his POINT, and then enjoy the befuddlement of the pundits.
I guess we’ll see tomorrow, eh?
Redhead Infidel on December 19, 2007 at 4:32 PM
I think it really depends on whether or not Tancredo believes Thompson is sincere. Thompson is not saying anything different than Tancredo is, so if Tancredo endorses Hunter … I will see that as a major indication that he believes Thompson is full of crap. As much as I like Hunter, he’s simply not going to win the nomination. Tancredo knows that Hunter is no more likely to win then himself, so why pull out and then endorse another guy who’s sure to pull out along with you? Doesn’t make sense, unless … there’s absolutely no alternative.
Keep in mind that Tancredo is well aware that if the nominee is not Thompson; then we’re going to have an amnesty loving, illegal alien supporting President. Is Tancredo willing to give in to that?
If what you say turns out to be true … it speaks very badly of Fred Thompson.
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 5:44 PM
I hate typos. Grrrr!
Gregor on December 19, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Perhaps. It’s just that Fred seems far likelier to quit before Hunter. As far as I know, Hunter’s going all the way to the convention. Fred might be in a coma by then.
Redhead Infidel on December 19, 2007 at 6:51 PM
I’ll miss that Photo.
He’ll get a post form Fred I hope.
amend2 on December 19, 2007 at 7:22 PM
Time to follow where the money didn’t come from.
Speakup on December 19, 2007 at 7:39 PM
LOL! We’ll see. We’ll see.
Gregor on December 20, 2007 at 1:50 AM
Tanc was my #3 choice. Duncan was #1, then Fred. Reality kicked in some months ago, and #1 and #2 swapped spots. I do hope the Tanc’s supporters move over to Fred (or Duncan). I can’t really see them going to any of the others.
Texas Nick 77 on December 20, 2007 at 10:16 AM
“That does seem logical.”
-Spock
Texas Nick 77 on December 20, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Thompson and Paul are the only ones who come close to his level of border-protection vigilance. So probably Thompson.
Mark Jaquith on December 20, 2007 at 12:47 PM
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