Interview With Tom Tancredo

Posted on June 5, 2007

I was approached with the unique opportunity to interview Presidential contender, Mr. Tom Tancredo. I had more questions, but due to the hectic schedule of campaigning for Mr. Tancredo we had to shorten it down to a few questions. However, it is an honor to have this privilege and I have been given more opportunities for possible interviews in the future. Below, are my questions and Mr. Tancredo’s answers. I am not ready to endorse and candidate at this point, but I will say that Mr. Tancredo is one of my favorites. I appreciate Mr. Tancredo for taking the time to answer my questions and his blogger, Mike Tate, for making this opportunity possible for us.

Here’s the responses:

1. Lets start with an easy one. What do you feel is the most important issue facing America today and what do you offer in helping to face this challenge?

America knows this one by now: immigration. As President I will grant no amnesty to those who broke our laws, prosecute employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens, and require legal status for anyone receiving drivers licenses, welfare, non-emergency healthcare. I will encourage assimilation of legal immigrants and eliminate taxpayer funded crutches for those who do not learn English, such as bilingual education options available in public schools and on ballots.

2. Many are of the opinion that the Democrats took over both Houses due to ignoring the important issue of border control. Do you believe this played a major part or is this issue more complicated?

In 2006, many Democrats that defeated Republicans had immigration platforms as tough as mine. Consider the many Democrats in 2006 that ran on border enforcement and no amnesty platforms. Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler defeated an incumbent Republican with such positions as: “Illegal immigration costs American taxpayers approximately $70 billion a year in financial assistance for welfare benefits, health care, education and domestic crime-fighting. I do not support granting amnesty to people who have broken the law.” J.D. Hayworth — I know you all remember him — was defeated by Democratic Harry Mitchell, who has this on his website: “Every sovereign nation has a responsibility to secure its border. In Congress, I’ll make it a top priority to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and stop illegal immigration.” The list goes on and can include Montana Senator Jon Tester and Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill. Democrats won because Republicans ignored the issue for too many years.

3. While immigration is a very important issue, many people think your focus in this area makes you appear as a one issue candidate. Please explain some of the other important strengths that you will bring to America as our leader.

I am a lifelong conservative that has advanced my reputation as a solid pro-life, pro-gun, small government Republican. I have consistently championed conservative principles that strengthen America.

Once again I want to thank Mr. Tancredo and his blogger Mike Tate for this opportunity. Hopefully there will be more in the near future. Make sure to visit Tancredo’s Official Campaign Blog today where Mike Tate will be live blogging the debate behind-the-scenes!

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5 Responses to “Interview With Tom Tancredo”

OMMAG on June 5th, 2007 9:16 am

As a Canadian I have less of a stake in who leads the US government.
I’ve heard lot’s of good things from Mr. Tancredo but I’ve also heard some simply stupid garbage.
For instance the one thing that sticks out to me is his complete opposition to the North/South economic corridor.
I won’t go into great detail on this issue but I can say that I have had a small part in researching the economic impact of the plan and it is a net benefit for all IMO.

Another thing that really got me doubting Tancredo’s credibility was his assertion that the Canadian border needed to be patrolled and controlled like the Mexican border. His inferences to Canadians have shown incredible ignorance and his idea of patrolling and restricting access to in excess of 1400 miles of the 49th parallel in addition to another 1700 miles across other Eastern and far Western portions of the international boundary.

The implications of such shallow thinking and poor understanding of the international relationship of America and it’s closest and LARGEST trading partner are not encouraging.

Is Tancredo a strong conservative? Yes and I approve greatly.
Is Tancredo capable of being the kind of leader that the USA needs and deserves? It does not look like it to me!
Freelancer on June 5th, 2007 9:35 am

I was happy to see a reference to a Tancredo interview, but not overjoyed at its brevity, or the fact that the few questions asked were what everybody by now should already know about him.

Looking forward to a more substantive interview later…
DrWright on June 5th, 2007 10:17 am

The USA should let at least 4 billion people of the world immigrate there, it’s every Americans right
to not be able to control their borders or something.

Do people actually believe that?
Jeff Molby on June 5th, 2007 11:00 am

Welcome back, Jay, and congrats on the interview. In the future, I’d suggest a slightly different approach if your number of questions are limited.

I would raise one issue and reserve my other questions for follow-ups. Here are a few examples.

1. All estimates suggest that there are at least 8 million illegal immigrants in this country. Logically, there are only three possible resolutions.

A) Make conditions such that they leave on their own.
B) Deport them.
C) Legalize them.

You seemed to have ruled out C, so how do you intend to accomplish A and/or B, and how long do you expect it to take?

2. Since driver’s licenses and many forms of welfare are state-run programs, how do you intend to alter them given that you are running for federal office? How does that fit into your belief in “states rights”? In what other issues do you believe the national interest trumps “states rights”?

3. Please cite 5 examples of legislation that you supported or opposed because of your belief in small government. Include in those examples at least 2 where you were forced to break rank with your Republican colleagues.
Brujo Blanco on June 5th, 2007 12:47 pm

There waS a question regarding the Canadian border. The problem is that Canada is a very easy country to enter from Europe and other parts of the world. We need to be vigilant on all borders not just the Mexican border.