2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Congressman Tancredo Statement Announcing His Candidacy For President

Congressman Tancredo Statement Announcing His Candidacy for President

The history of America is the story of men and women who have devoted and sacrificed themselves to the survival and success of that idea. Americans have fought and died for this cause in every century of our existence, and on every continent on the planet, for one purpose: to protect the gift of human liberty entrusted to us the Founders.

That gift is our birthright; its defense is our duty.

Today that idea, the idea of America itself, is under attack. But not only by who you think.

While we fight around the world to defend our nation, we are entrenched now in a struggle here at home to define it. The crisis of illegal immigration threatens not only our economy and our security, but our very identity - the idea of America is under attack.

Nearly 20 million illegal aliens are living in the United States today - roughly equivalent to the populations of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia combined. Unlike legal immigrants, who have for more than 200 years come to be a part of our nation, illegal immigrants today come to be apart from our nation.

The great tradition of American assimilation has broken down. The melting pot has cracked, and our Founding ideals are leaking through.

Illegal immigrants wait in no lines, pay no dues, and thus assume no responsibility for or devotion to America's founding ideals and traditional values. They enter illegally, demand social services, refuse our language, and take our jobs, asking not what they can do for their country, only what our country can do for them.

This attitude has been tolerated and even encouraged by our political and economic elite, for reasons ranging from the misguided to the cynical to the treasonous.

Some might ask what it says about a country who cannot defend its borders. I ask what it says about a country who chooses not to in deference to criminals loyal to another nation, and corporations loyal to none.

For too long Americans have been force-fed candidates who ignore or mock their valid concerns about the security of our borders, the enforcement of our immigration laws, and the survival of our national heritage. That ends today.

I am running for President to give Americans a voice, to win this fight, to preserve the sacred ideals of the nation our soldiers are fighting to protect, and to succeed in this struggle for our identity and survival.

One last chance for the last, best, hope of earth.

Congressman Tancredo Officially Announces Presidential Bid With Radio Blitz

Congressman Tancredo Officially Announces Presidential Bid with Radio Blitz

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination today, during an appearance on Jan Mickelson’s talk radio show in Des Moines, Iowa.

“The outpouring of support we have received over the past three months has been tremendous and, frankly, it has far exceeded what I anticipated,” Congressman Tancredo said during an interview prior to his announcement.

“Republicans want a candidate who is a conservative with no ifs, ands, or buts. Clearly, the current top tier of Republican candidates is not filling the bill.”

Tancredo, a five-term Congressman and the founder of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, is making border security and no amnesty for illegal aliens the centerpiece of his campaign.

“Wherever I go, Americans of all backgrounds and political beliefs thank me for standing up for them against the Establishment politicians who are selling out our nation. These good people feel abandoned by those in Washington and justifiably so. They have the right to be represented in this race and I am determined to be there for them.”

After his appearance on the Mickelson show, Tancredo went on a 20 interview radio blitz. Monday marked the end of a 4-day Iowa trip. He will then continue onto New Hampshire for a 2-day swing.

Excerpts From Congressman Tancredo's President Campaign Announcement Statement

Excerpts From Congressman Tancredo's President Campaign Announcement Statement

While we fight around the world to defend our nation, we are entrenched now in a struggle here at home to define it. The crisis of illegal immigration threatens not only our economy and our security, but our very identity...The great tradition of American assimilation has broken down. The melting pot has cracked, and our Founding ideals are leaking through....For too long Americans have been force-fed candidates who ignore or mock their valid concerns about the security of our borders, the enforcement of our immigration laws, and the survival of our national heritage. That ends today.

Tom Tancredo 2008 Announcement Message

Important Message From Congressman Tom Tancredo

I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be announcing my intentions to run for president of the United States on a national radio announcement blitz beginning this morning on the Jan Mickelson talk radio show in Des Moines, Iowa.

The outpouring of support I have received over the past three months has been tremendous and, frankly, it has far exceeded what I ever anticipated.  I am truly humbled and want to thank you for the confidence and trust you have placed in me.

Wherever I go, Americans like you--of all backgrounds and political beliefs--thank me for standing up for them against the Establishment politicians who have become pawns of corporate America. They believe Washington is selling out our nation, and they are right.

As a Congressman, and for the previous 20 years, I have done everything in my power to stop the sellout.  I can not abandon our cause now, and we can not lose this battle.  The consequences are too grave.  And so it is with the strength that comes from knowing you are at my side that I will announce my intentions to run for the presidency of this great country in just a few hours.

Thank you for the honor of representing you in this effort.

Sincerely,
Tom Tancredo

Major Tancredo Announcement On Monday Regarding His Presidential Intentions

Major Tancredo Announcement on Monday

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) will make a major announcement on the Mickelson in the Morning Show, 1040 WHO AM, 9:00 CST, Monday April 2, 2007 in Des Moines, IA .regarding his presidential intentions.

Bay Buchanan Aboard Team Tancredo

Bay Buchanan aboard Team Tancredo

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Tancredo (R-CO) announced late last week that Bay Buchanan has joined Team Tancredo and will serve as a senior advisor.  Buchanan brings a tremendous amount of experience and instant credibility to a campaign that continues to gain traction each day. 

Bay Buchanan served as Treasurer of the United States under President Reagan and has years of experience on the presidential campaign trail--both with President Reagan and her brother Pat.  Bay is also the Chairman for Team America, the PAC founded by Tancredo which is devoted to securing our borders.

Congressman Tancredo said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have Bay [Buchanan] join my team.  She has been a valuable advisor and close friend for a long time and will be an invaluable asset to my campaign.”

When asked about her new position Bay Buchanan stated, “Congressman Tancredo is the only Republican candidate with a national following.  He is a hero to conservatives across this country and I am honored to have the opportunity to be part of what promises to be an exciting campaign.”

Earlier last week the campaign announced it had exceeded its $1,000,000 fundraising goal.

Tancredo Breaks Million Dollar Fundraising Goal

Tancredo Breaks Million Dollar Fundraising Goal

(Washington, D.C.) - Presidential Candidate Tom Tancredo’s (R-CO) exploratory committee announced today that it has broken its million dollar fundraising goal. In the two months since he formed an exploratory campaign there has been an outpouring of support that has far exceeded expectations. 

“I am humbled to have over 40,000 Americans tell me to run for President and over half of them have backed this up with their hard earned money,” the Congressman said.” I now know that with a grass roots campaign we will have the funds necessary to go the distance.”

With this milestone behind him Congressman Tancredo will make his final decision within the next two weeks.

Tancredo Renews Taxpayer Protection Pledge

Tancredo Renews Taxpayer Protection Pledge
Continues Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) today renewed his pledge to the taxpayers of the United States.  The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, sponsored by the Americans for Tax Reform, began in 1986 after the passage of President Reagan’s Tax Reform Act.  The pledge commits the signer to oppose increases in the federal income tax.

“Throughout my entire political career I have had a strong record opposing tax increases.  Today, I again take the pledge to the American taxpayer as I continue to explore my candidacy for the president of the United States,” said Tancredo, the American Conservative Union’s highest rated conservative considering a White House bid.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is sent out yearly to every Member of Congress.  Congressman Tancredo has run as a pledge-signer in every election since his first Congressional win in 1998.

Tancredo concluded, “The tax burden on American families is already too high and out of control.  Not only will I pledge to fight tax increases, I will also do my part to lower them.”

"Tancredo For A Secure America" Presidential Exploratory Committee And Website Launched

Tom Tancredo announced his presidential exploratory committee, "Tancredo for a Secure America" with this message on his website.

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you today as a friend, and as a fellow believer in the cause of securing America's borders.

My purpose is to obtain your support as I embark upon a path that may lead to the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States.

The decision to pursue this arduous and undeniably uphill battle is because I, like you, have a duty to do everything I can to keep faith with those who risked their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" to create this wonderful place we call America.

I am considering this campaign because of my commitment to real immigration reform: reform that first and foremost is dedicated to the security and well-being of the citizens of the United States, and to respect for the rule of law in our beloved nation.

I am also considering this campaign because I believe the Republican Party and its leaders must recommit themselves to limited, smaller government; fiscal responsibility; and honesty in public office.

Last November, the Republican Party paid a high price for abandoning those principles; we will not regain the trust of the voters and a congressional majority until we reclaim them. I am proud that I was one of a handful of Republican members of Congress who voted against both "No Child Left Behind," a federal betrayal of local control of education, and the fiscally irresponsible Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.

When I was elected to Congress in 1998, I made immigration reform my top priority, much to the scorn and derision of the political and business elites who are addicted to the flow of cheap illegal labor into America.

But, as I look at the current presidential candidates, Republican and Democratic, I simply do not see one who reflects the grassroots, majority belief of Americans that our borders must be secured, that employers who hire illegals must be prosecuted, and that no one who has broken our immigration laws should ever be put on a "pathway to citizenship."

After a lot of prayer, and long talks with my wife Jackie and our children, I have decided I am willing to put myself forward as a candidate for president in order, above everything else, to advance our immigration reform agenda, and to reclaim the Republican Party for its core conservative values.

So, I am seeking your advice and counsel. Do you believe I should seek the Republican presidential nomination, to fight to secure our borders and to reassert traditional conservative Republican principles including limited, smaller government, fiscal responsibility and honesty in office? But this campaign cannot just be about me.

It has to be about securing our nation at its borders, protecting American jobs, respecting our laws and our cultural identity, and reclaiming the Republican Party for its best values.

That means for this campaign to go forward and succeed, it must be about us...you and me.

You and I need to agree that we will work together to battle the special interests which now control both parties, and which are so committed to open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens. You and I need to agree that we will dig in, work hard, and raise the money to effectively challenge the deep pockets of the Republican candidates who are talking a good game about immigration, but who are, in fact, supporting amnesty.

If you and I decide I should run, I am not going to ask you to travel with me to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina in the months ahead, on the many weekend and overnight trips away from my family that I will commit my time to between votes in Congress. That will be my job.

But I will count on you to tell your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers and your family about our campaign....and invite them to join it!

And I also will count on you to help me with your financial support, especially now. I simply cannot move ahead without your help, and the help of thousands of patriotic Americans like you . I am ready to be David against the establishment's Goliath, but I need you to help me load my sling-shot!

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle to secure our borders. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Tom Tancredo

P.S. So many wonderful people in the critical primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina have already asked if they could volunteer to help us. There is tremendous excitement building! It would be a big help to me as I make my decision if I could hear back from you as soon as possible.

Tom Tancredo Forms Presidential Exploratory Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                  
Tuesday, January 16, 2007

TANCREDO FORMS PRESIDENTIAL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

(Washington, DC) - Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) today announced the formation of his presidential exploratory committee.

After receiving an overwhelming level of encouragement and support from grassroots Republican activists throughout the state of Iowa, Tancredo has decided to take the next step and form an exploratory committee.

"I have met with Iowans from all walks of life this weekend, and the one thing I heard over and over is that they don’t believe the other contenders care about the same things that they do,” said Tancredo, Chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus.  “They believe that there is a void in this race that none of the other candidates are willing or able to fill.”

The decision came after traveling to Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa as part of his book signing tour promoting his book, "In Mortal Danger."  Tancredo met with activists to gauge support for a potential run at the White House between stops.

“I plan to file paperwork this week to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee,” said Tancredo

“Too many people believe that their leaders in Washington have forgotten them,” concluded Tancredo.  “I want to make sure that their voices are heard in the upcoming election.”

Please visit the Congressman’s presidential exploratory website at: www.teamtancredo.org