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Tom Tancredo has stated he does not see a need to run for President any longer, saying that he thought his goal of appearing as an ‘08 contender in order to push immigration into the debate has succeeded.
“I get the feeling that I will not have to do this,” Tancredo said of the presidential bid. “This issue, it’s got legs, and they’re not necessarily mine anymore.”
Though he has long joked that he had no chance of actually winning the presidential nomination, Tancredo dangled a run as his way of forcing candidates to address what he calls the nation’s catastrophically porous borders.
Those opposed to Tancredo’s position said he’s always been marginal. If Congress passes immigration reform, the issue won’t be a part of the presidential race, said Tamar Jacoby, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a conservative advocate for a guest-worker program. Even if Congress doesn’t pass reform, she said, people don’t vote for president based on immigration issues.
Asked if [he will] seek the U.S. Senate in 2008 if Sen. Wayne Allard bows out, Tancredo said,?”Yeah, yeah.”
I don’t think Tancredo is a serious contender any longer.
November 13th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Well, this statement by itself does not convince me to adjust the Power Rankings right now (however, I will be adding someone to them very soon). He actually didn’t say that he wasn’t running anymore, just that he thinks it may no longer be necessary.
Tancredo has made too many moves towards running for me to take him off based on saying that he might not run.
He has practically lived in the early primary states, including Iowa, where I was lucky enough to meet him and speak with him for a little while. I assure you that you will never find a kinder, humbler, and more sincere politician than Tom Tancredo.
He also has made organizational moves like forming his Team America PAC.
Until he issues a “Sherman Statement” IÂ will keep him on, however he is where he is on the list for a reason.
November 13th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Might that new candidate be Tommy Thompson?
November 13th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Think “more southern”.
November 13th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Southern? I would say the obvious, Mark Sanford, Haley Barbour, Sonny Perdue, or Elizabeth Dole, but Sanford, Barbour and Perdue have all ruled out running in ‘08 and I doubt Dole’s performance as head of the GOP Senatorial Campaign Committee for the ‘06 elections gives her any credibility in the presidential election. I really
don’t think Crist, Riley, or Perry are going to run for the top slot either.
…I don’t know… I’m not sure who it could be.
November 13th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
It would be this guy… Big hat tip to Republius for telling me like six-months ago that he would be running BTW.
It’s not just the draft movement though, he’s is recruiting in Iowa.
November 13th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Good riddance, Tom Tancredo.
November 13th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Oh good God no. This guy is the reason we got Mark Warner in the first place!
Realistically, I think its a 3-person field: Giuliani, McCain, and Romney. I just don’t see anyone else that can compete with those 3 for funds, charisma, or media attention.
The Dem side, however . . . what a mess!
November 13th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Ahhh yeah, I should have figured. Another former Virginia governor, eh? Who will be the next to jump into the fray? Tim Kaine?
But really–it should be interesting. I admit, Virginians do have a record of electing some pretty good governors. Maybe it’s just because their 1-term-at-a-time rule forces them to work even harder to get as much accomplished as possible in a year.
November 13th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Damnit! I had such hope for a Tancredo candidacy… *cough*
Anyways, back to the real world, can someone just speed up time until about a year from now? The suspense is killing me!
Also, Kavon, can we please remove Allen (and Frist for that matter) from Power Rankings.
November 13th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Allen is on the endangered list for sure.
I will wait for an offical announcement to remove Frist though. Even though he won’t win the nomination, VOLPAC has tons of money and can wield influence in the primary season. Frist may want to stay in it to see if he can wrangle the Veep slot.
November 13th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Frist as Veep, eh? I never gave that much thought before. I just don’t see what Frist brings to the table in terms of the EC or what. His extremely sub-par Senate Majority Leader stint is a major liability, not to mention the government’s ongoing investigations into his financial transactions.
November 13th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Well, he’s got the So-Con thing going for him, he’s Southern, and he brings his awesome VOLPAC organization with him . I admit that his stock has probably gone down even in the Veep dept. But I don’t blame him for trying.
Rove is also reportedly still is enamored with Dr. Frist too.