July 11, 2007
Posted: 01:40 PM ET

Tancredo says he deserves some credit for blasting McCain on immigration.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful and illegal immigration opponent Tom Tancredo said Wednesday that he "can take some credit" for the current campaign woes of his rival for the nomination, Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Tancredo, a Colorado congressman and a longshot candidate, has hammered McCain in Iowa and other states for his support of a failed immigration bill that would have legalized millions of immigrants now in the country.

McCain is struggling to raise money and lags behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in most polls. This week he fired much of his campaign staff in an attempt to get back on track.

"To the extent that I believe that I have been somewhat successful in moving this issue and getting it to the point where it is now part of the presidential debate, yeah, I guess I can take some credit," Tancredo said at a news conference. "Small, but some."

The best thing about the Senate bill, which failed last month, is that "it means there will never be a President McCain," Tancredo added.

To be sure, Tancredo said, there were other issues that hurt McCain, including his support for President Bush's Iraq war strategy. But McCain's immigration position is "almost like the straw that broke the camel's back," Tancredo said.

Tancredo is trying to keep the immigration issue alive. At his news conference Wednesday, he unveiled an immigration bill that would crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and limit citizenship to children born to at least one parent who is also a U.S. citizen or lawful resident.

Filed under: Immigration • John McCain • Tom Tancredo


God, Heaven   July 13th, 2007 3:24 am ET

Hey Anna Pradlalsingh, God also said to follow the laws of man. Immigration is good, Illegal immigration is BAD.

Steve in Charlotte   July 12th, 2007 12:18 pm ET

Why is this guy still around? I stopped paying any attention to him after he said in the Republican debates that he would authorize nuclear weapons to stop Iran's centrifuges. Nothing like a nuclear bomb to stop nuclear proliferation. Way to go, moron.

russ   July 12th, 2007 11:14 am ET

McCain's support of that blunderer in the white house has caused his downfall. At least Tancredo has been constant in his support of Americans and our right to sovereignty and not kowtowing to bleeding hearts who make excuses for illegal aliens and their criminal activity - aka dan from chicago. The smelly bi-partisan amnesty bill? Whether it is donkey crap or elephant crap that amnesty bill is crap. and bleeding heart Dan go cry racism to someone who cares. Not only is that card is worn out, there isn't a speck of relevance to the claim. I want the illegal Polish and Irish deported as well as the mexicans and africans and middle easterners and aussies, etc.
They also do NOT have a 'god given' right to live in this country, unless they all move into poster Anna's house.

Mike, Eau Claire, WI   July 12th, 2007 9:15 am ET

And Tancredo insults the same group of people that waited in line to come to America legally as well Pete. Or did you forget his statement at the Republican debate where he said he wanted to cut off all legal immigration too.

Richard, Austin, Texas   July 11th, 2007 9:37 pm ET

Jon, I think you spoke true in advising anna to develop a keen taste for bread and water if she ever attempts to illegally enter any other country in the world. All nations are very serious about their sovereignty, as are the citizens of this nation. Unfortunately the Greed Factor and their lobbyist had convinced far too many in our congress the people were asleep and it was OK to flood the country with cheap labor. As anna can see tens of millions of us were not asleep and the rudely awaken senate was advised, in no uncertain terms, it was their jobs on the line and they realized for the first time in a long time that money may run congress most of the time but not this time. No anna this nation does not belong to any drifter that decides they need no permission to enter or be here. I believe that next election this nation will remember those is the senate and the congress that endorsed B.S. similar to that you spew. Well actually I doubt few, if any, believed in what you said. It is much more probable that they simply liked the perks and monetary possibilities the Greed Factor was offering for them to betray Americans.

For the sake of argument, anna what government on earth believes what you advocate. Where did you develop this B.S. mentality and where is the world is this tolerated. Is it possibe you come from a nation that would allow this to happen unfettered? I would love to hear what nation has open borders

By the way anna, Tom Tancredo did not bring McCain down. McCain and the American people did. Tom Tancredo merely helped make more people aware of where McCain stood on immigration. The American people took over from there.

And Dan the bi-partisans you speak of were not Republicans and Democrat voters or or anyone representing their wishes. Democrat and Republican Big Business, Big Greed globalist and their cronies in the senate were the bi-partisans you speak of.

Chris in Thorofare, New Jersey   July 11th, 2007 9:16 pm ET

Dan in Chicago:

Where in the Constitution does it mandate that we be the world's safe haven? And how can you say that while we have troops in 140 countries and have killed over a million iraq citizens?

Stop calling people racist. That has nothing to do with people breaking the law and you are bullying people with that tactic.

Spare US with YOUR political hogwash. You are in the minority in this country anyway, as more then 70% of the people opposed that "bill".

Bob E. Hazelwood, MO   July 11th, 2007 9:09 pm ET

I am behind Mr. Tancredo 100%. Some people will try to give him the racist tag, and that is not fair. WE are talking about people coming into this country illegal, no matter what country of origin. We must hold each one of our elected officials accountable. I think Mr. Tancredo would make a good Vice_President with Fred Thompson.

ray phoenix arizona   July 11th, 2007 8:24 pm ET

Anyone that really believes allowing people into our country without any sort regulations needs to move to a third world country. If the we took in all the people in the world that our worse off than the people of Mexico we would have no power, no water, and no job we do not have the infrastruture to support it. Furthermore at some point we need to feed ourselves first the rest of the world is the responsibility of the governments they put in place. I completely agree with Tancredo unfortunitely I can't bring myself to vote for anyone that has help the current president. I need a democrat that can stand up with Tancredo.

Whitson, Lubbock Texas   July 11th, 2007 6:47 pm ET

Tancredo wishes his words were that important.

Pete, T.S. FL   July 11th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Keep up the fight Mr. Tancredo!

Anna, and those that support that view, quit referring to the criminals that cross our border illegally as immigrants, they are not!

You insult every legal immigrant that stood in line, completed the documentation and waited until their number got called.

“WE THE PEOPLE”

Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca   July 11th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

Tancredo more highlighted the issues. It was McCain who made the choices which disappointed his core constituents. I would suggest conservative talk-radio had a bigger impact on McCain's Immigrant woes than Tancredo. McCain's support for the War alienates the moderate democrats and his support for illegal immigrant amnesty alienates the conservatives. No where left to go for John.

Anna Pradlalsingh - LEGAL immigrants are welcomed in the United States. ILLEGAL immigrants have violated US Laws and need to be either detained and/or deported. I ASSUME you believe in laws? Laws that protect your rights, your safety, that lock up murderers, criminals, and yes - deport illegal immigrants. If you really believe in no-borders on this earth I invite you to waltz on over to Europe, china, or any other country and explain your free-thinking as you dismiss sovereign laws. Hopefully you DO like bread and water as that will be your diet for some time being locked up.

Shawn K Reading Pa.   July 11th, 2007 3:18 pm ET

Mr. Tancredo stands for a large chunk of U.S. citizens. And as far as his critics that call him a racist, they are just elitists who would never live nexted to these ILLEGALL immigrants. They live in gated communities and exploit them as housekeepers and opars. As our GOOD paying jobs are leaving and the companys that stay want the cheap immigrant worker. Tancredo is fighting for our, U.S. legal, jobs and futures. How do we export all our jobs and then take in 20 million illegals? that dosent add up. we have roving black-outs, drinking water issues and record foreclosures, WAKE UP AMERICA, WE NEED CHANGE.

Anna Pradlalsingh   July 11th, 2007 2:54 pm ET

Mr. tancredo immigrants are human beings, created in the same image and likeness as you are by God, this land belongs to God and anyone can live anywhere they choose to for the earth is the Lords and the fullnes thereof. In other words. God created the earth and man. You do not own USA, but God has the fianl saying where the immigrant bill is concern and it will be pass and many people who desires to continue to stay and work the land will surely do so, because when you die you will not be carrying the USA in your coffin. Concerned US Citizen

Dan, Chicago, IL   July 11th, 2007 2:35 pm ET

Tom Tancredo has no political sway over his rival candidates, and his claim as to such is rediculous. The primaries are drawing near, and as is typical in all political races, the weaker candidates slowly fall to the wayside. Tancredo is nothing more than a one trick pony who has no platform outside of illegal immigration. He is simply using McCain's lost influence to garner some attention in his own campaign. If Mr. Tancredo really believed he was a serious contender for President of a nation who is supposed to stand for opportunity and hope, he wouldn't have been an opponent of the bi-partisan legislation on illegal immigration that he so happily exploits as amnesty. Opponents of the bill are not opponents of illegal immigration, they are veiled racists who can not come to terms with our nation's duty to be the world's safehaven. This is America Mr. Tancredo, not your country club, please spare all of us of your political hogwash.

Anonymous   July 11th, 2007 2:12 pm ET

I would like to read Tancredo's immigration bill but he is taking too much credit for McCain's stumbles.

Christopher G. - Winnetka - California   July 11th, 2007 2:04 pm ET

I particularly agree with the position in terms of a crack down on employers hiring illegals and that citizenship should be limited to at least a parent that is a citizen. Both are great positions and would a long ways in limiting illegal immigration.

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