Tancredo Dominates in Detroit

Tancredo dazzled Detroit at the NAACP's annual convention. The Boston Globe notes:

He used his opening remarks to talk about his signature issue, illegal immigration, and how it was hurting American workers, and especially African-American workers. Tancredo said he gets "insulted" every time he hears that illegal immigrants are working jobs American citizens won't take.

MSNBC's First Read highlights:

Tancredo said proponents of immigration reform have "the audacity to call 'amnesty' the modern day civil rights movement." He earned big applause for saying "There is no comparison" between the two movements.

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He then closed with a two-minute statement, including an anecdote highlighting what he said whites and blacks have in common -- a language.

Comments

[T in Colorado]

I am proud and happy that MR. TANCREDO could find the time from his busy schedule to address African-Americans at the NAACP convention. It shows that someone in the Republican Party cares about them. I hope they listened to what you had to say with open-minds and will give you their support. Keep up the good work MR. TANCREDO.

[Dale Jeffers]

Most encouraging that Tom Tancredo is taking his message to African-Americans. Soon after the Civil Rights Bill in the sixties is when I noticed the beginnings of an influx from Mexico. Just when we were trying to heal the wounds and open up opportunities for black citizens the government threw a wrench in the works with the Immigration Act of 1965, incidently, that was not supposed to change our demographics. Thanks, Teddy.

[James]

The more Congressman Tancredo's campaign moves forward, the more and more I am impressed! Conversely, (and I don't know why Congressman Hunter wasn't there) where were the other Republican candidates?!

Whether we agree with the NAACP's stances on things, the people in this organization are a part of the American nation and they should be addressed! It would have been a good opportunity for all Republican candidates to improve relationships or build relationships with that constituency. SO BE IT! Congressman Tancredo gets all the good publicity as a result of NO OTHER Republican candidates showing up!

Tancredo shows REAL courage and REAL leadership. He MUST get the nomination from the Republican party!

[Weaver]

I was concerned the NAACP leadership might paint him as the racist enemy they’re always looking for, but I should have known: no one can hate Tancredo! Well done, and congratulations.

[Mike Tate]

The speech he gave, by the way, was impressive.

C-SPAN should be airing it in the near future. Stay posted because I'll tell you the replay date.

[South Texas Voter]

Seemingly the only presidential candidate who understnds that Americans want our borders secured and our immigration laws enforced!

[Carol Fryer]

Ive been impressed with Toms stand on immigration from the start. Its strange how everywhere he goes he seems to get a standing ovation and yet hes still ignored in the media. I thought this would be against him. But because of the issues, he doesnt seem to need the media for people to quickly learn hes what our nations needs. Hes loved everywhere he goes. We dont need the media to know what we want or need.

[InRussetShadows]

I'm impressed that they let him in, but the NAACP has been more open to other views than the ultraliberal crowd lately. That's a good move on their part, and it's a freaking slam-dunk for Tancredo to show up and get the word out. Illegal immigrants steal the low-paying jobs first, and those jobs often are the only opportunity youth and the poor (many whom are black, but of course, not all) have. Support of illegal immigration can very easily be cast as an anti-black and therefore racist position.

[Jeff Mullis]

Tom's message is for Americans period....the last best hope of western civilization.
Any one that is a proud American should be Thankful for this great American!

[Robert]

God Bless Tom Tancredo! It did not take courage, it took "heart" to go the the NAACP convention. He went to tell African-Americans how illegal immigration is hurting their community. He went to tell them that there is someone in the presidential race that is concerned about them, not because they are black, but because they are AMERICAN! He has "heart"!

[MB Rommel]

Here is a man who should be President. Why? Because Tom Tancredo recognizes that without secure borders and enforcement of existing immigration laws, there will be no America. Opponents love to call him a "one issue" candidate. Well, heed this, without secure borders,we will have no country to defend; no economy to stimulate; no culture to preserve. Without the primacy of this "one issue", all other issues are moot. The immigration system is not broken (never has been). Annually, the United States provides for a million people to legally enter our country; more people than all other countries combined. This is how our sovereignty is maintained through assimilation. Again, it is not the "immigration system" that is in need of an overhaul. It is the illegal invasion of foreigners who breach our borders, while disregarding our laws, that need addressing. You go Tom!

[James]

Mike, I'm eager to see / hear his speech and the response to that! Hope you'll make it available on your site in conjunction with YouTube.

[guy reed]

I am impressed and sent him on to
all my addresses, the folks need to know this guy, he is for real

[rikyrah]

As an African-American, I applaud Rep. Tancredo for attending the NAACP Convention. Though I doubt I will vote for a Republican this time out, I thank him for his work against illegal immigration.

And, I assure Rep. Tancredo that the Black man on the street - in the beauty shops, barber shops, coffee shops. The regular Black man and woman that gets up and goes to work everyday - they understand his message completely.

Do not think that the ' so-called' leaders speak for African-Americans on this issue. They couldn't be further apart.

There are a lot of Blacks, like my family, that are regular Lou Dobbs watchers, who know that Rep. Tancredo has been on the frontlines against illegal immigration, and I thank him again for not only on that fight, but for going into unfamiliar territory and saying his peace respectfully.

[Mike Tate]

James: I'm working on getting the video clip of his speech.

[/////ANDRE]

I must say: Tom has more "class" than any of the other Republican candidates. He shows up and gives it to 'em anywhere, anytime. He even spoke up for Ron Paul when he was excluded from that Iowa debate, no other republican said anything.

[James]

Robert, I would respectfully say that you can have all the "heart" you want, but without "REAL courage" and "REAL leadership" to back it up, it means nothing. I think that there may have been one or two other Republican candidates that had "heart" too, but sadly no REAL courage and REAL leadership and that's why they weren't there. Now, that's REAL simple. I stand by my words - Congressman Tancredo shows REAL courage and REAL leadership.

[James]

I wish I could have a conversation with you, rikyrah, and find out why you don't want to vote for a Republican Presidential candidate. Frankly speaking, America needs good level-headed men and women like you, who understand significant issues facing America, to not only vote for Tancredo but go to your family and friends and tell them why they should vote for him too. I promise you, Tancredo is NOT like the majority of modern day sell-out Republicans that we're all so weary of!

[C.A. Blount]

Congressman Tancredo, it is a relief to see someone in the current field of GOP contenders step up and demonstrate that the Party of Lincoln still has its stars. I am a 28 yr young black AMERICAN man, and I appreciate you Mr. Tancredo. You remind me that President Bush and his administration are not the end of the GOP. Please realize (and this comes from one of the few of my age group and skin color who would have the "audacity" to support anything Republican) that if a script had been written to destroy the GOP, then that plan has achieved success at the hands of President Bush. You will definitely be a part of rebuilding whatever is left of the GOP post-Bush. "BIG UPS" again for restoring, if even a little, more confidence in the real GOP. And we know it's about the blood, sweat, and tears of that red, white, and blue FOR US ALL.

[Bill Bacon]

I don't know where or who’s responsible for the 12 million illegals number, if you times that by 2, your closer then the 12. Anyway, Tom's the only politician that has stood up to the illegal controversy, when it was very unpopular among politicians. It’s time to get going and elect a person that is for the people and not the big business that has corrupted so many. Hate to say it but the big push for the amnesty bill is bought and paid for by big business. I only have seen one candidate so strongly against this amnesty, that hasn’t talked in circles or out of both sides of his mouth. Tom Tancredo, good luck and God bless!

[ron vestal]

why dont you or anyone else ever mention that 40 million illegal aliens have come to this country since 1975 and during that same time we have allowed 40 million abortions in the u.s.?? The illegals and other ted kennedy 3rd world people let into amer. since the 1965 change in imm. laws, has almost destroyed the christian and white and negro cultures of america. I know that the black and white culture in amer, can and do care...they are christian, have a 4oo year history together and now are being separate and divided by the liberal news media and the mentally ill pols. like kennedy,reed,polosy and their ilk...when will the politic. begin to speak the real truth about our destroyinng ourselves???I am educated,ex teacher,coachj, have a law degree and care about the amer. we have beome. I believe all our moral have decayed since be began to kill our own...white liberals have convinced amer.s that its alright to comment infanticide and all under the lying legal front of free speech and all that blather...only god can save amer. but not until amer's stand up and throw off the yoke of oppression that the liberal, the courts, and media have managed to encircle the necks of the middle classed...includind blacks and whites...christians that died and built the united stated...Thank god for the mind and moral courage of tancredo

[William L. Hawkins]

It's a shame that it requires money to get an excellent choice for political office in the public view. More money equals more name recognition which equals votes. I feel that our electoral process is in dire need of reform in the area of campaign financing. We need to see candidates put on equal ground as far as financing is concerned so that the best candidate can win not the richest!

[Nancy Vander Schaaf]

I have seen too often in past, Republican campaigns where two good candidates both try to run and the votes get split between them... and they both end up losing. I know Mr. Tancredo and Mike Huckabee are both good candidates... they both believe in marriage b/w 1 man and 1 women, believe abortion is wrong, believe that we can't just pull out of the war in Iraq, and neither is ignoring the huge immigration problem. The votes will be divided b/w these two candidates in the Iowa Straw Poll unless someone honorably steps out, and asks all their supporters to vote for the other guy. Only then will all your work have not been in vain, but it will have served a great purpose in the election of the next president of the United States.
With great respect,
Nancy

[Jonathan]

I'm a progressive/liberal bent independent who is conservative on immigration. I want to say kudos to Tancrado for having the courage & conviction in his beliefs to be the ONLY GOP candidate to show up and state his case for POTUS at the NAACP hosted debate.
Shame on all the other GOP candidates! It's just shameful. It was a class act move for Tancrado.

[Mary]

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the way and fought for the rights of black citizens.
Tom Tancredo will lead the way and fight to RESTORE the rights of "We The People".

[Sir Andrew]

Is there a video?

[James]

Nancy, I'd like to respectfully respond to what you said, because you were basically saying that Tancredo (and probably Hunter, Paul, Gilmore and Tommy Thomson too) should back out of the race and endorse Huckabee, so that at least he would have a real chance instead of all of these men losing the nomination to McCain, Romni or Giuliani.

First of all, I will give you the benefit of the doubt, that your comment displays a genuine desire for a good Conservative Republican candidate to get the nomination.

However, I don't believe that Tancredo should back out to endorse Huckabee. If anything, it should be the other way around.

First of all, I sincerely think that Tancredo and Hunter are the ONLY two candidates that can be trusted to stand for the sovereignty of country, secure our borders, expel the invading illegal immigrants, stand up to the corrupt "free traders," and defend good moral conservative Christian values.

While I am happy that Huckabee was a Baptist pastor, I as a Baptist preacher was appalled by Huckabee's answer on evolution vs. creationism in the New Hampshire debate. When asked if he believed that the creation was accomplished in 6 literal days, he said he didn't know. (You'll see why I think this is important and why I can't endorse Huckabee over Tancredo.)

Now, while this is not a critical issue to the majority of Republicans and maybe not even the majority of those that call themselves Christians in this country, what it showed me is that Huckabee either A) is a coward to tell what the Bible really teaches, or B) doesn't want the American public to think he's a freak for believing such a "ridiculous" or "foolish" or "idiotic" thing like 6 day creationism, or C) both. Personally, I think the answer is C.

The point? If you have a belief, then have the courage to state it when pressed for an answer (and he was pressed for an answer). The answer that Huckabee gave is called, "theistic evolution" (something more palatable to the pleuristic society we live in). He said that God "created" the "process." God did not create the process. He created the physical universe, the plants and animals and mankind in 6 literal days. Everything that was created was created within those 6 days. How do I know? Because the same Hebrew word translated "day" is used throughout Genesis and always means a literal day. The Hebrew language itself proves this and I think that Huckabee knows this.

Here's what I'm driving at: We NEED a candidate that we can TRUST. If the man was a Baptist pastor, he ought to know what the Bible teaches and he ought to be honest about what it teaches and he had an opportunity on NATIONAL television to tell it LIKE IT IS. And he didn't! And that's why I don't trust him.

Furthermore, I don't think Huckabee is the real deal when it comes to true political Conservativism. I think that Tancredo is though and that's why I support him.

Finally, the point of this particular post by Mike Tate was about "Tancredo Dominates in Detroit." I would be remiss if I didn't bring it back around to this, because you notice that Huckabee wasn't there! Tancredo was! So, who should drop out and endorse who?

[Peter]

Keep up the great work Tom. I hope less informed Americans get the opportunity to learn about you and your stance. You are honorable, passionate and not corrupted by typical political money.

You are good for America.

[Reginald Stephenson]

As an African American Republican, I share many of your views that I was under mass opposition to Mr. Tancredo accepting the invitation to the NAACP convention. After the way the organization treated Bush in his first term, I was also sure they would be partial to his ideal. However in watching the broadcast, I was very impressed the the angle in which Mr. Tancredo took. He never once tried to appeal to JUST African Americans...his message stayed the same, for ALL Americans. I think this was very important because it proves that any candidate in America has the ability to refrain from appealing to just one target audience, and especially appealing to the largest special interest group in America.

[Jon Brown]

You can get the video from the NAACP with Windows Media Player at http://www.naacpwebcast.com/naacp2007/asx/naacp_2007_thur_prezrep_530k.asx

Tom starts at time 5:15.

[Jeff Mullis]

James...Aman
Huckabee....had the chance tell the world that the creator of the heavens and earth, didso in 6 literal days- but his spine turned to jello.

The only candidate for all Americans....President Tom Tancredo

[Vicki Mclaughlin]

Thank God for a few good Men! I agree that Tancredo is the obvious choice between Huckabee and Tancredo!

As a White American raised in California I remember as a child raised on 127th and figeuroa thinking thank God for Caifornia at least the Black population has a place in this country where they can have the American Dream!

What happened? The powers to be let illegal immigrants come in and take every cent that was ear marked for the Black families and kids! Illegal immigrants took advantage of the Civil Rights Movements!

PLEASE GO TO: http://www.freedomtofascism.com/index.html and watch this video free to get real answers!!!!!

[Ellen]

I cannot believe the other republican presidential candidates didn't take the time to speak at the convention. That just goes to show that Mr. Tancredo is for everyone, not just a chosen few. Mr. Tancredo for president in 08, it's the right thing to do!

[Chris, Maryland]

My donations to the Presidential campaign of Congressman Tancredo has provided the best Return on Investment I could have hoped for. He has surpassed my expectations in his campaigning efforts and has proven tireless in standing up for America. I agree with several comments regarding the Republicans coming together behind one candidate, and I think the candidate selected should be Congressman Tancredo. I also fully agree with the earlier comments of MB Rommel, in that without border security nothing else will really matter. As for the other Republican candidates not addressing the NAACP, I believe they have all committed an act of political self-ruin. How can they possibly claim to be "too busy" to address what (I believe) is arguably the most important segment of American society? That Congressman Tancredo made the trip, stood alone on the stage, and didn't modify his points or change his speaking voice to fit the audience, tells me he is someone I can believe in.

[Bill]

And does the mainstream media have another thing coming! They want to give dumb old America their "top tier" picks from which to choose. It might be easier to keep the old Washington establishment shananigans going by not mentioning a guy like Tom Tancredo on t.v. any more than absolutly necessary. Since none of the other GOP candidates showed up at all, it might be best to just kinda sweep the whole event under the rug. ie Did we all notice that after the defeat of the S.1639 amnesty bill it was no longer news. The msm quickly moved on to other stuff. I contend that had amnesty passed, it would have been news...bigtime...all day... everyday. Can you say, "propaganda"?
If Tom gets enough votes, he will be elected, big money or not. The guy is loved by everyday Americans everywhere he goes. And the NAACP appearance and his reception there was a sign of the momentum his message is building with the American people in general. America owes herself Tom Tancredo as our next president. Just think...a patriotic president.

[USA today]

For those that are defending Huckabee , Please do the research , Mike Huckabee is an open borders wacko that would legalize every illegal in a second ,

There really is no choice , its Tancredo all the way

[DB]

Mike Huckabee is like so many other reps. They like to tell you what you want to hear. Mike was pro amnesty. Check him out. There is no comparison between Mike and Tom. Tom stands strong on his issues, Mike changes his.
I'm so glad he went to the NAACP and spoke to all Americans. Any legal American matters no matter what color or beliefs. Who else has faced the blacks and is trying to support them? No democrat is concerned with the black vote enough to even show up!
There are a lot of black voters out there that need to hear his cause and stands. He is an American that is for Americans. And he considers blacks just as important as anyone else. Who else can say that?

[James]

Maybe this link would explain Nancy's comment:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070714/NEWS09/70714004/-1/RSS22

Apparently, Huckabee will bow out of the race if he comes in 4th place or worse. Personally, I hope he does bow out. Go Tancredo, GO!

[Chris Baker]

I couldn't be more proud to support Tom Tancredo with his appearance at the NAACP convention. There will probably never be another presidential candidate like him.

[Joshua]

When will people realize the republican party has sold out to big business. We need Tancredo to restore our country on fundamentals of life and liberty. Tancredo has my donations and support.

[Manz]

Unfortunatley I was unable to see this event due to a deployment in Iraq. I would like to say that after reading his stance on "The Issues" I feel that Mr. Tancredo is a little misguided on his approoach to problems such as immigration. To say that 84 hospitals were closed as a direct result of illegal immigration is wrong. In the seemingly unlikeley event that could ever happen, maybe he should adress the privitazion of medical care in america, or propose a "bail out" much like was done for the airline companies after 9-11. Where could this extra money come from? Maybe from a defense buget that is nearly 3 quarters of a trillion dollars a year? I'm in Iraq, and as expensive as some of our equiptment is, I can assure you that we aren't even seeing a fair portion of that money. Most soldiers in my unit have less than adequite equiptment, our vehicles are falling apart bolt by bolt, and a few guys in my platoon have been issued M-16 A2's. I think many of America's real issues are not addressed by Mr. Tancredo. As much as you might feel immigraton is a security problem, you might want to look at the conditions that cause it. Such as imflation cuased my American corperations in South America exploiting cheap labor, and materials. It's odd to me how we find it justifiable to use another county for our personal benifit, and kick out people who are the TRUE victims of illegal immigration. I think if you walk for days across the mexico border, the least we can do is give you a helping hand in startin a life for yourself.