December 20, 2007
Posted: 03:27 PM ET

Tancredo said he is endorsing Mitt Romney for president.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Rep. Tom Tancredo abandoned his long-shot bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday afternoon, but claimed victory because, he said, the other GOP candidates have adopted his staunch anti-illegal immigration agenda.

“According to Newsweek, the Tancredo campaign has already won,” he said during a press conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

After announcing his decision to drop out of the race, Tancredo endorsed Mitt Romney's presidential bid, saying the former Massachusetts governor’s views came closest to his own stance on illegal immigration, and that he “could go the distance” and win the presidency.

Tancredo, a Colorado Republican, is a fierce proponent of stricter illegal immigration laws, but his campaign struggled to gain traction with the Republican primary voters, despite the fact that his signature issue is a top concern among GOP primary voters this cycle.

Full story

Filed under: Mitt Romney • Tom Tancredo


Troy   December 23rd, 2007 12:53 am ET

Good, the jingoistic racist moron is out. This nincompoop bigot throws his support for another racist. What an idiot indeed!

Karen Houston, TX   December 22nd, 2007 12:26 am ET

"He also has an impeccable record as a three term governor of appointing socially conservative judges who stick to the Constitution, not international law.
—————————————
Where does Huckabee stand on the constitution?

I can't help but notice that everywhere he goes he slips into private meetings with all of the pastors in the area. Isn't that an abuse of the separation of church and state? Apparently he sticks to the constitution unless it doesn't serve his needs. Then he digresses. So much for his integrity.

I don't respect a man who so obviously uses his title of Pastor to pander to the Christian right. He has disappointed me one too many times. I find him to be insincere and manipulative.

http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org

GRACE, SUN CITY CENTER, FL   December 21st, 2007 4:55 pm ET

THE CHRISTIAN COALITION AND OTHERS WHO
POST EXTRA LONG COMMENTS, HAVE SOME
THING TO LEARN…. MAKE YOUR POINT AS
SHORT AS POSSIBLE. IT HAS MORE IMPACT
AND PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO READ IT.

GRACE, SUN CITY CENTER, FL   December 21st, 2007 4:44 pm ET

GOODY…. AN ENDORSEMENT FROM A LOSER.
NOW, THAT'S MEANINGFUL.

Chad, Pittsboro, NC   December 21st, 2007 9:50 am ET

Ajay Jain, this is the same comment you just posted on another forum. And what, Shrillary is never negative? Wow!

lava, North Pole   December 21st, 2007 1:04 am ET

"Should have kept on running. Doesn't he know that as long as you are campaigning, you get to keep all the money you raise if you don't succeed. Hell, I'd kept campainging and raking in the dough for as long as I could.

Posted By Repubs are stupid"

This is just one great example why Democrats are so twisted.

Ajay Jain   December 20th, 2007 11:33 pm ET

Romney needs ALL the endorsements he can muster even from 1% Tancredo!!!

Entrepreneur Romney Senator McCain just might BEAT you in both NH and Iowa Romney! Save your negative ads for Super Tuesday!! You will need a lot of help that day!!!

Go Hillary 08!

Presidente   December 20th, 2007 11:09 pm ET

And 11 million Mexicans cheered. And then went to the hospital to get some more free medical care.

Work harder Americans- we are counting on you.

JB   December 20th, 2007 11:07 pm ET

Wow, three people have endorsed Huckabee in there comments. Yeah, I can see Simile Huckabee making it. He has a metaphor for everything, his foreign affairs article used "like high school students..". I have a hard time imagining him in a weekly radio address, maybe he could keep repeating his campaign message, "I never achieved the American Dream like some candidates, like I never finished my masters degree…"

arfisher, Midlothian, VA   December 20th, 2007 9:44 pm ET

Why do you cut the video off before he makes his endorsement. CNN Bias?

J, Seattle, formerly SLC   December 20th, 2007 9:40 pm ET

Get Real: wrong, guess again.

GetReal, Reality, USA   December 20th, 2007 9:28 pm ET

J, Seattle, WA - let me guess, you're part of the conspiracy wackos that think Bush planted bombs in the WTC and then gleefully pushed the button.

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   December 20th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

It was a valiant effort Tom. And you are making the SMART endorsement in Mitt. He is the most intelligent choice amongst the pack indeed.

J, Seattle, WA   December 20th, 2007 9:19 pm ET

Regarding the posting made by William J. Murray, Chairman of The Religious Freedom Coalition: The current plan in motion was conceived by the Mormon hierarchy about 10 years prior to the opening of their Law School at BYU. There are many very well placed active Mormons in the current administration poised to take over where Bush leaves off. Bush abandoned other Republican candidates for Romney in 2000 in exchange for the support of The Mormon Church. Sort of makes you wonder about the whole election process now doesn't it? As a result of Bush's support you, Joe public, will get more of the same but worse, because now it's all about 'what The Mormon's can get from their country, not what their country will get from them.' I guess Mitt left out that part. I suppose that you are to be lulled into idiocy by the replication going on, the same tie as Bush, the Kennedy-esque Dallas speech on religion, in the Bush library no less, I could go on, but I'll save it for another day. Bush just wants to be loved, and he is angry that he isn't. He presided over a war that he created and he lost, yet the obvious choice for President would end it very soon after getting into office. Bush expects accolades when he leaves and he'll get them if he supports Romney. There are so many negative truths yet untold about this church and this candidate. Be afraid folks, be very afraid.

Elizabeth, Jackson, MS   December 20th, 2007 9:03 pm ET

Idiots. You wonder why your country is going to hell? The US has turned into a gigantic giveaway program to ILLEGALS. That's WHY there are barely no jobs with no decent pay and health care sucks. DO YOUR HOMEWORK & RESEARCH you clueless fools. Don't cry when they start blowing us up either.

Daniel, Washington   December 20th, 2007 8:42 pm ET

He also has an impeccable record as a three term governor of appointing socially conservative judges who stick to the Constitution, not international law.

William,

I agree that Huckabee has done an excellent job appointing socially conserverative-opinionated judges. For many that is good thing, for some not.

More important than one small piece of the puzzle for success, lets look at Huckabee's not even close to impeccable records in other areas of government.

Lets look at issues like smashing hard drives, being investigated by ethics commitees 5 times…and these seem minor when we look at many of his decisions. Talk to those who have done there homework in Arkansas.

Appointing judges you want is a nice touch, but if you feel that is really what sets Huckabee apart from the battlefield, you may want to read up a bit more, (and please don't rely on CNN).

WordOfLaw, Raleigh, NC   December 20th, 2007 8:38 pm ET

Saturday, Dec 15, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Romney Press Shop (857) 288-6390

Boston, MA – Today, noted conservative jurist Judge Robert Bork endorsed Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.

Joining Romney for President, Judge Bork said, "Throughout my career, I have had the honor of serving under several Presidents and am proud to make today's endorsement. No other candidate will do more to advance the conservative judicial movement than Governor Mitt Romney. He knows firsthand how the judicial branch can profoundly affect the future course of a state and a nation. I greatly admired his leadership in Massachusetts in the way that he responded to the activist court's ruling legalizing same-sex 'marriage.' His leadership on the issue has served as a model to the nation on how to respect all of our citizens while respecting the rule of law at the same time."

Judge Bork continued, "Our next President may be called upon to make more than one Supreme Court nomination, and Governor Romney is committed to nominating judges who take their oath of office seriously and respect the rule of law in our nation. I also support Governor Romney because of his character, his integrity and his stands on the major issues facing the United States."

Welcoming Judge Bork's support, Governor Romney said, "For decades, Judge Bork has been a leader in moving the conservative legal movement forward. As one of our nation's premier conservative jurists, he has been an important voice for our conservative values in Washington. I look forward to his counsel and working with him on the most important judicial matters facing our nation today."

Background On Judge Robert Bork:

Judge Bork Is A Leading Conservative Jurist With A Long Record Of Public Service. Judge Bork served as Solicitor General from 1973 to 1978 and acting Attorney General from 1973 to 1974. From 1982 to 1988, he served as a Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. On July 1, 1987, he was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. In February 1988, Judge Bork resigned from the Circuit Court and joined the American Enterprise Institute. Judge Bork, who also served as a partner at a major law firm and a Professor of Law at Yale University, is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Hudson Institute and a Professor at the Ave Maria School of Law.

Grace Colley, NPR, FL   December 20th, 2007 8:30 pm ET

Well if anyone thought that Mr. Tancredo had a chance, I think that a Colorado snowball would have a better chance in "that warm place…." Neither Mr. Tancredo nor Mr. Romney have even offered so much as a solution to the illegal immigration problem. I don't think that illegal immigration is the problem here, and most Americans are more concerned about their pocketbooks, $3/gallon gas, the war in Iraq which we still haven't won, than worrying about which Mexican is cleaning out toilets! The issue here is HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM? There is a solution, but other than deporting 12 million people, nobody has come up with anything better. I for one think this should be dealt with, without the solution being $10/lb for tomatoes, $15 for a broccoli, and paying more than $20/week for lawncare! How about cheaper medicines for seniors and access to healthcare for all Americans. In this way we can have healthy Americans who will go out there in heat and cold and pick the fruit and vegetables!

Cory, San Diego, CA   December 20th, 2007 8:18 pm ET

I've posted this at more than just this blog, but I definitely do not work for Romney's campaign. I want some conservatives, who I feel haven't given Mitt a fair shake thus far, to seriously reconsider their positions. Romney is clearly now the anti-illegal immigration candidate. What candidate can win the support of ALL conservatives…fiscal, defense, AND social? Mitt's the man!

Jeremiah Grant, Phoenix AZ   December 20th, 2007 8:08 pm ET

Thank you Mr. Tancredo for your endorsement of Romney. Hopefully all those who share your deep concern about immigration will appreciate how this endorsement validates Romney's views on this subject.

If there's anything I know about Romney from studying his life, it's this. He is a man of action and a man of results. If immigration is really a concern to people, then they have to look to the candidate most likely to do something about it–the candidate who has already shown time and again an ability to tackle large problems and deliver results.

Mitt Romney has always been that man!

ed winter park FL   December 20th, 2007 7:24 pm ET

who is/was Tancredo. is/was he an american citizen. where does he come from or claim to live. he must be another buddie or ex employee of guilliani. what was he running for ,i thought you had to be an american citizen to run for office. We really need to secure our borders to try and keep outsiders from coming in and trying to run for official office

Julie Medford,Oregon   December 20th, 2007 7:15 pm ET

He brought the issue of illegal aliens and the problems it brings to our towns and cities and the security of our nation to the forefront of this election,he should be applauded for that. I hope the next President will step up to the plate and resolve this problem and not turn a blind eye to this serious problem (like our current President).

Ryan, Oakland, CA   December 20th, 2007 7:00 pm ET

Ew. Sucks for Romney. Tancredo is an extreme protectionist bigot. I don't think Romney wants his support.

Anonymous   December 20th, 2007 6:54 pm ET

One bigot down

William J Murray, Washington, DC   December 20th, 2007 6:16 pm ET

Romney thinks like Tancredo? Not on judges!

Even before controlling the Senate a battle was waged by Democrats to slow down or stop the confirmation of Circuit Court and District judges appointed by President George W. Bush. Since taking control in 2007, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Reid has brought the judicial confirmation process to almost a full stop. In 2007 only six Circuit Court judges were confirmed. Reid, who is a Mormon, has oddly set up religious tests for the judges. Judicial appointees from the south, particularly Baptists and Catholics from anywhere who have publicly spoken of their faith have been obstructed by Reid and his allies. The core issue for Reid and the Democrats is abortion and their own allegiance to the abortion industry.

Judicial confirmations have come to a virtual stop as Democrats who control the Senate await the arrival of a socially liberal President in 2009 who would appoint judges who are pro-abortion to vacancies in District and Circuit Court levels. There is a strong belief among liberal Senators that even if Hillary Clinton did not win the White House that another pro-abortionist, Rudy Giuliani, would. Even Mitt Romney, who as governor appointed mostly social liberal judges, would offer acceptable judicial appointments to the Senate Democrat leadership.

Then came Huckabee.

To the horror of Senator Harry Reid and the liberal establishment Governor Mike Huckabee has risen to the top of the Republican field and has favorable ratings among all voters that exceed those of Senator Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. He also has an impeccable record as a three term governor of appointing socially conservative judges who stick to the Constitution, not international law. He has stood by and fought for Bush’s conservative judicial nominees from Arkansas including Leon Holmes whom Democrat Senators blocked for years.

Mike Huckabee has been unwavering in his pro-life stance, unlike the other top GOP contenders, including Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. Huckabee understands that abortion is the defining social policy issue in America today while the rest of the GOP field does not. While it took 30 years in the Republican Party for Mitt Romney to discover that an unborn child is a human being, Mike Huckabee has always had that understanding.

Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will appoint liberal judges who will pay no attention to the Constitution as they move to change America to their liberal internationalist view. Clinton or Obama appointees would no doubt forbid us from mentioning the name of Christ in public as can be seen by their outrage that Mike Huckabee would mention His name in a TV ad for Christmas. States would be forced to accept gay marriage and homeschooling would be found unlawful nationally as a judge has already done in Utah. Courts would probably force religious schools to hire homosexual gym teachers, teach evolution as fact and pass out condoms. Those same kinds of judges could be appointed by a socially liberal Republican president.

The next president of the United States will turn the Supreme Court either to the far left or maintain it as an institution that upholds the Constitution and individual liberty. The same holds true for important Circuit Court vacancies. The only logical choice for social conservative voters in the Republican Party is a candidate with a proven record of appointing and fighting for judges who are strict Constitutional constructionists. For now, the only viable candidate who meets those criteria is Governor Mike Huckabee.

William J. Murray, Chairman
Religious Freedom Coalition

Karen Houston TX   December 20th, 2007 6:03 pm ET

Glad to hear he is endorsing a good man!

Joel, Pittsburgh, PA   December 20th, 2007 5:50 pm ET

Vote Tancredo - Before It's Too Late!

Whoops! It's… uh…. too late.

Spencer, Utah   December 20th, 2007 5:26 pm ET

Tancredo bid hurts Romney, in my view.

Juan, Easton PA   December 20th, 2007 5:22 pm ET

You would never, ever become president of this great country Tancredo, a bigot like yourself does not deserve to hold public office, I hope you do not get reelected to congress. Your buddy Romney is going to loose too. Mike Huckabee all the way!

Dan, Denver, CO   December 20th, 2007 5:00 pm ET

Good riddance. We can't have a president whose sole purpose is to harm a segment of society. His candidacy was a joke all along. He gave up his house seat too! Christmas has come early this year.

Brian, Highland Park, NJ   December 20th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

S-M-I-L-E

Scariest Man in Life Exits.

What a shame! We're all going to miss his bigotry and intolerance - not to mention, his campaign ads which took a page out of the Nazi playbook.

Good riddance!

Val Davydov, Agawam, MA   December 20th, 2007 4:41 pm ET

WOW! Way to go Gov. Romney. This is indeed one great endoresement. Tancredo for VP perhaps?

Santosh-Phila   December 20th, 2007 4:26 pm ET

In the short-term it may give Romney a boost with a certain niche of the party but in the long-term it makes it that much more apparent that he's not very electable in a general election campaign, as any association with Tancredo paints that "scary" Republican image. I think GOP voters determined to defeat Sen. Clinton will be even more wary about nominating Romney.

I'm surprised that the Club for Growth hasn't had anything to say about the guest-worker program issue, considering that you'd think they should support it (business-friendly), which means that it should boost their feelings for McCain & Huckabee and count against Romney and Thompson.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 20th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

Wow, I am surprised!

Steve King endorsed Fred over Tom, so why does Tom endorse Mitt?

How will this hurt Romney?

Chuck, Miami, FL   December 20th, 2007 4:10 pm ET

Tancredo drops out of the race 2 weeks before the primaries then he endorses Mitt Romney. How convenient!!! Gotta give Romney credit. When you're desperate take what you can get.

Wayne, Greenville TX   December 20th, 2007 4:08 pm ET

Hopefully, Tancredo's endorsement of Romney will torpedo Mitt's campaign…..

Repubs are stupid   December 20th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

Should have kept on running. Doesn't he know that as long as you are campaigning, you get to keep all the money you raise if you don't succeed. Hell, I'd kept campainging and raking in the dough for as long as I could.

Tim, Cincinnati, OH   December 20th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

Tancredo did the right thing by dropping out. Although he did not have a lot of support for his candidacy, his endorsement will be a boost for Romney among GOP voters who feel strongly about illegal immigration.

Eli, NY   December 20th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

I guess that means all of Tancredo's supporters will now flock to Romney…all 10 of them.

G, Margate, FL   December 20th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

nah nah nah, nah nah nah hey hey hey good bye.
Looser
1 down 7 more to go

David, Chicago, IL   December 20th, 2007 3:52 pm ET

One crazy endorses another.

Obama 08, St. Louis   December 20th, 2007 3:51 pm ET

Tom who?

AC   December 20th, 2007 3:46 pm ET

Who?

HK, Grand Canyon, AZ   December 20th, 2007 3:45 pm ET

But who will be the Klan's candidate?
(Huck, I suppose)

K. Michaels, Germantown, MD   December 20th, 2007 3:44 pm ET

I'm shocked that Tancredo, who was essentially a one-issue candidate, would throw his support to a governor who tolerated "sanctuary cities" and was pro-amnesty (before he wasn't) in the recent "comprehensive immigration reform" debates.

If Tancredo was serious about his pet issue, he would have supported his closest ideological competitor Hunter, or the closest viable candidate Thompson.

He has embarrassed himself and his former supporters with this massive faux pas.

Romney2008   December 20th, 2007 3:38 pm ET

Seems like a nice enough guy, but he was definitely not presidential material. If his base throws their support behind Mitt based on his endorsement, Mitt will now be in the lead for the national polls (since in the last poll Rudy and Mitt were tied as the frontrunner).

Marty Pacino   December 20th, 2007 3:33 pm ET

Until you idiots realize no one cares about immigration you will continue to poll in the 1-2% range. How about you address an issue that actually affects Americans. Like gas at $3 a gallon. People can barley afford to go to work. How about we talk about property taxes being so high that senior citizens and families on low wages are being forced out of homes? How about we ask why I am taxed on my paycheck and then I take my taxed dollars and get retaxed when I spend them? Lets talk about the dollar losing so much value that a pound of chesse is $5 a pound. But I guess this doesn't matter to millionaires. How about you facing the real issues we care about and you might dip out of the 1-2% range. You are a worthless bum and you are so far out of touch with America that you endorsed Romney. Good job hopefully your 1% will go his way so that he gets into the high teens while Huckabee hits around 40%.

Scott, Fairport, NY   December 20th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

Tom who? :)

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