Tancredo: Abolish race-based caucuses

AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/25/07 | Laurie Kellman - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - White House hopeful Tom Tancredo said Thursday the existence of the Congressional Black Caucus and other race-based groups of lawmakers amounts to segregation and should be abolished.

"It is utterly hypocritical for Congress to extol the virtues of a colorblind society while officially sanctioning caucuses that are based solely on race," said the Colorado Republican, who is most widely known as a vocal critic of illegal immigration.

"If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses," said Tancredo, who is scheduled pitch his longshot presidential bid this weekend in New Hampshire.

Tancredo's request, relayed in a letter to Administration Committee Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., revived his effort to change House rules to abolish the groups. Besides the Congressional Black Caucus, Democrats also have a Hispanic caucus with 21 members, and Republicans have a comparable Hispanic conference with five full members and 11 "associate" members who are not Hispanic.

The request comes in the wake of reports that freshman Rep. Stephen Cohen (news, bio, voting record), D-Tenn., was refused admission to the Congressional Black Caucus because he is white. All 43 members of the caucus are black.

Cohen said in a statement that he told a reporter that he would be honored to join the caucus but did not apply, "nor has the CBC denied membership to me."

The political Web site Politico.com, which first reported the issue, quoted Rep. William Clay, Jr., D-Mo., as saying the black membership in his group is "an unwritten rule."

Tancredo is chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, which seeks to toughen border security to stem illegal immigration from Mexico. He also opposes guest worker programs and immigration proposals by President Bush, saying they would facilitate more foreigners coming to the United States illegally.

He won re-election in November from voters in his south-Denver district with 59 percent of the vote.

[NormsRevenge]

hmmmm..

[NormsRevenge]

"If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses,"

[Long Island Pete]

Start up a Congressional White Caucus and see hell break loose.

[o_zarkman44]

might as well shut down the women's caucus too.

[goldstategop]

The Democrats' grasp on power depends on dividing Americans by race, gender and creed. They're not going to get rid of what works so well for them - and the race hustlers won't hear of Tom Tancredo's plan.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[TexasCajun]

White House hopeful Tom Tancredo said Thursday the existence of the Congressional Black Caucus and other race-based groups of lawmakers amounts to segregation and should be abolished.

FINALLY!!

Tom, you're winning me over!!!

[newconhere]

I think it is a spectacular idea. I like him too bad he will never be even considered for President. Too EXTREME! (sarcasm)

[Steel Wolf]

File that idea under "Makes Way Too Much Sense To Ever Happen"

[mandingo republican]

Trancredo is a big jerk - but his idea makes sense - too bad it came from him - i would love to see the black and Hispanic caucasus dissolve.

[Paloma_55]

Bullseye!!

When questioned on the matter, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of People (NAAP) agreed with him.

[varina davis]

Best idea I've heard in ages.

[TexasCajun]

Why do you say that he's a Jerk?

He just called the CBC for what it really is, racist and bigoted organization of elected Liberal Black Democrats!

He has a 100 Rating from the American Conservative Union.

I'm just learning about this guy so please inform me.

[Tzimisce]

He is absolutely right. What if someone set up a "white caucas"?

[EEDUDE]

**Start up a Congressional White Caucus and see hell break loose.**

Yep.

I'm still waiting for WET (White Entertainment Television)

[LWalk18]

Absolutely- why should an organization that allows an "unwritten rule" banning all non-blacks be subsidized by taxpayers of all colors? At the very least, this will expose this ugly practice.

[L98Fiero]

"What if someone set up a "white caucas"?"

Well, allow me to speculate.

I don't think it would ever be "set up". It would never get that far. I'm not sure any founding members could handle the backlash and all the name-calling and attacks and how all that might effect their lives or their families lives.

Name one "white activist".

[NormsRevenge]

Rhetoric as you already see on the thread will be the death of FR,, staying on topic is a lost art around here these days.

[streetpreacher]

Tancredo has repeatedly said that if someone picked up his issue in the GOP primaries, he would not run for President. That said, I wonder why he isn't supporting Hunter.

[NormsRevenge]

at this stage of the race which is very early on, the more out there trumpeting issues for as long as they can , the better.

[Just sayin]

People can say what they want to about Tom Tancredo but he isn't playing politically correct. So many politicians think the only way to get elected is to not rock the boat.

Tom Tancredo is rocking boats that alot of people agree need to be rocked and I look forward to people answering to the things he brings to this race. (Pun intended)

[streetpreacher]

I'm not against Tancredo running. I just hope conservatives rally around one clear consensus candidate early on so that they don't split their vote.

Let Rudy, McCain and Romney do the vote splitting.

[ArrogantBustard]

Name one "white activist".

David Duke.

Who is a complete a racist nut as Je$$e Jack$on.

[streetpreacher]

That was my first thought as well only I had the good sense not to post it. ;-)

[swatbuznik]

I don't know much about Tancredo, but I like this!!

[EternalVigilance]

Way to go, Tom!

[L98Fiero]

"David Duke.

Who is a complete a racist nut as Je$$e Jack$on."

Exactly. Try starting a "white caucus" and you get to be described as a "racist nut".

"whie activist" = racist

"black activist" = pillar of the community

[ArrogantBustard]

I had the good sense not to post it

Guess my arrogance got the better of me. I'd venture that almost all racial activists, of whatever stripe, are racists.

[EternalVigilance]

"It is utterly hypocritical for Congress to extol the virtues of a colorblind society while officially sanctioning caucuses that are based solely on race."

"If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses."

He's absolutely right.

[ArrogantBustard]

Yep.

The MSM, and the democRATic party are racists.

[Desperately Seeking Freedom]

I think Tom is a pedantic little sissy-boy, but he sure hit it out of the park with this one. If he keeps this up, I will move him over to my "good" file.

[raybbr]

Go to mandingo's home page. The first sentence will give a clue as to why he/she dislikes Tancredo.

[cherokeenation]

This is good stuff. Tancredo's got guts. I like that,and am looking forward to learning more about him.

[TexasCajun]

"Tom, You Honkey Confederate-Flag Waving Plantation-Owner!
How Dare You Call Me Racist & Bigoted!"

[Millee]

He's 100% right.

[mandingo republican]

He is correct about the black caucuses - but I don't like what he said about Miami - it's not just true. He alienated many Americans of Cuban heritage who are actually very conservative, family oriented, educated, anti communist, Republican, hard working, who have served in the US armed forces, and very patriotic towards the United States, and voted for Bush and love America - and who don't subscribe to the victimhood and handout-ism many Spanish sur-named individuals in this country pocess. Cuban Americans have helped Miami become the international vibrant city it is today. Plus he insulted my very hard working parents and family who happen to live in Miami. Can you imagine if Cuban Americans started to rank on the Irish in Boston or Jews in New York City or even Chicanos in East LA? We would not get away with that and we would not do that either. Trancreedo doesn't like Spanish sur-named individuals because he makes us all out to be illegal aliens and we are NOT.

[L98Fiero]

"Guess my arrogance got the better of me."

Arrogance? I didn't see any.

"I'd venture that almost all racial activists, of whatever stripe, are racists."

My whole point. My problem is, blacks get a free pass, and whites don't. Now, if I gripe about this loud enough and long enough, I become a "white activist" which is what? ;-)

The game is already won.

[RockinRight]

If we could stick Tancredo's views on a guy, and throw in some of Reagan's charisma and ability to convey and convince a viewpoint, we'd have the perfect candidate.

[Shimmer128]

ping

[rwilson99]

Where was this when we had the majority?

[meowmeow]

I'm still waiting for WET (White Entertainment Television)

It's called The Food Network.

[gidget7]

Please Do!!

It nothing but feminists and lesbians anyway.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Tancredo is chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, which seeks to toughen border security to stem illegal immigration from Mexico everywhere. He also opposes guest worker programs and immigration proposals by President Bush, saying stating the obvious fact that they would facilitate more foreigners coming to the United States illegally.

That's better.

[SoCalPol]

Duncan Hunter will be on Neil Cavuto on FOX 1pm pst

[L98Fiero]

"It's called The Food Network."

LOL! I thought it was SpeedTV.

[DennisR]

It is not only segregation, it is blatant racism.

[JTHomes]

Might be a good idea before a Muslim caucus is formed.

[TexasCajun]

Thanks for the reply, but what did he say about Miami that has you so riled up?

[Terpin]

"I'm still waiting for WET (White Entertainment Television)"
__________________________________________________________

It's there. It's called SPIKE TV. Everything from Star Trek to James Bond movies to Walker, Texas Ranger! Yee Hah!!

[Kieri]

Might be a good idea before a Muslim caucus is formed.

You just scared the crap out of me.

Any bets on what will happen during the next congressional prayer breakfast?

[river rat]

Sure.... Congress will outlaw Congressional segregation or racial "set asides" just as soon as they show their faith in the Social Security Administration and switch from their very lucrative "insider" fund and join the rest of us peasants in the Social Security Ponzi Scheme.

Semper Fi