Tancredo Wins Straw Poll in Michigan

Human Events ^ | June 5, 2006 | Robert B. Bluey

[boryeulb]

Rep. Tom Tancredo's get-tough-first attitude on immigration reform is having a positive impact on his possible presidential run in 2008. The Colorado Republican won tonight's GOP straw poll in Macomb County, Mich., located in the Detroit metro area.

Tancredo took about 18% of the vote of 325 votes cast at the Lincoln Day Dinner. Although it was only a plurality on a fractured GOP ballot, Tancredo beat out GOP heavyweights Rudy Giuliani, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Here are the complete results, courtesy of Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis:

Candidate Votes Percent

Tom Tancredo 60 18.5%

Rudy Giuliani 45 13.8%

Mitt Romney 40 12.3%

Condi Rice 39 12.0%

Newt Gingrich 38 11.7%

John McCain 38 11.7%

George Allen 21 6.5%

Mike Pence 15 4.6%

Ron Paul 14 4.3%

Mike Huckabee 6 1.8%

Bill Frist 4 1.2%

Alan Keyes 2 0.6%

Candice Miller 2 0.6%

Sam Brownback 1 0.3%

Perhaps most surprisingly are the first and last-place finishers. Tancredo is an immigration hawk who leads the House Immigration Reform Caucus, while the normally reliable Brownback has strayed from the conservative base to back President Bush's immigration plan.

[Soul Seeker]

And, again, McCain continues to come up empty middle of the pack.

If folks want a Liberal they choose Rudy, and unlike McCain, Rudy doesn't enjoy making the life of conservatives hell. He has a difference of opinion but treats conservatives with respect.

What is interesting is that Michigan isn't a "conservative" state, but a conservative voting record which Tancredo has topped the list and his stance on the borders was clearly the reason he garnered almost 20% with the nearest competitor five points behind.

What are we learning in these straw polls? Conservatism, and now border enforcement, are determining the top selections.

[Torie]

Depending on how you characterize Rice, the "RINO's" have about half of the vote even in this sample of GOP activists from Macomb County.

[NordP]

Tancredo/Rice, Tancredo/Allen, Tancredo, Gingrich, Rice, Allen

I totally agree!

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Half of the half, is because it's consistent with Bush's position.

Without that - nobody would be supporting RINOs.

Tancredo Republicans = Reagan Democrats.

In other words: They swing elections.

[CurlyBill]

Can someone please explain to me how McCain gets even ONE vote in these things?

[Torie]

Tancredo Republicans = Reagan Democrats.

In other words: They swing elections.

I don't think Tancredo will be attracting very many swing voters to the GOP. I don't see any evidence of that. Rather, Tancredo appeals to a certain proportion of the GOP base. The Dems who are concerned about illegals, are also animiated by a bunch of other issues, that keep them away from the GOP, including many blacks.

[Torie]

Well Falwell loves him, as exhibit A.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

UAW could be brought onboard with a combination of patriotic appeals, America-first and making them choose between the gay lobby and their own belief systems.

And somehow arranging for the decision, to happen at the rank and file level. Rather than the bought and payed for union boss Democrats.

Lots of prominent Republicans conspicuously buying and driving American-built cars wouldn't hurt either. :)

[Beagle8U]

"What is interesting is that Michigan isn't a "conservative" state, but a conservative voting record which Tancredo has topped the list and his stance on the borders was clearly the reason he garnered almost 20% with the nearest competitor five points behind."

Except for Detroit and a couple big cites, Michigan is a very conservative state. Its also the birthplace of the Republican party and is home to the most Conservative Collage in the Nation.

[romanesq]

Condi has more of what it takes than most unofficial candidates for President.
That ain't pc, that's enthusiasm. She's brilliant but I don't expect her to run.

[Soul Seeker]

Sorry, not going to give that point to you.

Absent Seattle and one or two other cities, WA would be conservative too. So would most states. But they exist and so I can't label my state conservative. I can state Eastern Washington is more conservative and if we split in hald it would go GOP, but that won't happen.

I will grant Michigan isn't Maine, but it's not exactly Utah, South Carolina or even Florida.

[television is just wrong]

of course he wins. people are fed up with the invasion.

[RacerX1128]

imho, regarding this subject matter, i really don't care about 325 votes anywhere...

[teldon30]

Thanks for saying what needs to be said...as always!

[Dolphy]

Michigan is a mess of a state to characterize, with Detroit and it's overwhelming number of Democrats trumping everything lately in statewide elections. The other large counties, last time I looked, were trending left too. Regardless, these county straw polls here are all over the board and not particularly instructive.

[Beagle8U]

Michigan is always a swing state, just like Penn. and Ohio.

The Darling of the media 4 years ago, Jenny Grandstand (Gov.) will be ousted in November, as will US Senator Debby Stabacow. Both are doomed.

Detroit is dieing and everyone is moving out.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[ROTB]

Gingrich is a RINO. Witness the deficit increased under his watch also. Only the growth of the deficit slowed.

[Beagle8U]

"The other large counties, last time I looked, were trending left too."

I wonder why Republicans control both state houses, and have for quite some time and Jenny Grandstand getting elected was a novelty, a fluke. She is toast in November.

The Unions are hemorrhaging membership, and the ones they do have left are sick of the RATS.

[Dolphy]

Look at the recent statewide elections, reliable Republican majorities in many counties have been eroding.

Who do you like to take on Stabenow?

[Beagle8U]

"Who do you like to take on Stabenow?"

Keith Butler, the Black Republican from Detroit. He is quite conservative for the area he comes from, and he will crush Stabacow!

On the Governors race, Grandstand pissed off the Black Mayor of Detroit, he now hates her guts.

They can both forget about the Black vote from Detroit...OOPS!