Tancredo says his conservative message will help him in the race
By Philip Elliott
Associated Press Writer
April 4, 2007
MANCHESTER, N.H. –Presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo said Wednesday he isn't deterred by the fundraising race, polls that show him trailing or critics saying he's an also-ran.
The Colorado representative said he'll emerge from the crowded Republican field a winner because he has a conservative message that's lacking in the race.
“I have a built-in constituency of average Americans who are worried the impact of illegal immigration will have on their jobs, their schools, their hospitals, their prisons, their national security and their culture. There are millions of them.”
Tancredo, a staunch opponent of illegal immigration, said his message will help him because he's shown a consistency that none of the other candidates have.
“They strain and you can tell. They talk of every imaginable way to address it except head-on.”
Tancredo acknowledges he lags in bottom-line fundraising, but said his donor base is strong. His preliminary report put him at 20,000 donors, with the average gift of $59. He said early states like New Hampshire will help him convince others he's a viable candidate.
“This is for all the marbles,” Tancredo said. “If we don't get this right with the presidency, what good is it if Congress passes laws and laws and laws and the executive ignores them?”
Tancredo said the Bush administration hasn't done enough to enforce existing immigration laws.
“Lacking a willingness on his part, I've got to do everything I can,” he said.[]
