Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado says he will not be bound by term-limit pledge

Associated Press / SFGate

[RCW2001]

STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
©2002 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/09/25/politics1715EDT0733.DTL

(09-25) 14:15 PDT DENVER (AP) --

Citing an ongoing "threat" to the nation, Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo said Wednesday he will no longer be bound by his pledge to limit himself to three terms.

Tancredo, who is seeking a third term this fall, made his announcement in a letter to supporters that was posted on the Rocky Mountain News Web site and later obtained by The Associated Press.

In the letter, Tancredo said he is concerned about a challenge facing the United States.

"It is my deeply held, and now tremendously reinforced, belief that our nation is confronted with a physical, spiritual and philosophical threat that will require every ounce of our individual effort in its defense," Tancredo said.

"If I am elected to a third term, any decision to run for a fourth will not be made solely on the issue of term limits, but will be weighed against a number of things including the continued existence of a 'fire in my belly' for the challenge," Tancredo wrote.

"If I conclude that I have useful service to give, I will not be deterred by the views that I held about term limits when I ran for the first time."

Tancredo faces Democrat Lance Wright in the November general election.

Tancredo was a leader in Colorado's term limits movement before his election in 1998. He indicated in January he had concluded term limits do not work.

Tancredo has demanded tighter immigration policies. Last month, he reported to the Immigration and Naturalization Service a young illegal honors student who was featured in a newspaper article that detailed his struggle to pay for college. Tancredo also has pushed for use of troops to guard the borders.

He cited immigration reform in his letter, saying he is a leader on the issue. "I dare not abandon this cause," he said.

©2002 Associated Press  

[Howlin]

Don't they all. Typical.

[07055]

He should do what Clinton did---walk around his neighborhood and report that his constituents released him from his pledge. Funny how that story was never deemed worthy of attention in 1992.

[Grut]

Sur-prise, surprise!

[PRND21]

Just like his 2A stance...Oops, I changed my mind.
Further proof that he is a dolt.

[Seeking the truth]

Hallalueha! The Union is Saved! The Union is Saved!


</sarcasm>

[Callahan]

I like Tancredo (considering the alternative) but this is the type of crap that gives politicians a bad name. Has anyone ever kept a term-limit pledge?

[Callahan]

Tancredo: The Last Line of Defense!

[dpwiener]

Interesting how term-limit proponents suddenly become irreplaceable once they get elected to office. Can anyone doubt that our nation's security would be severely "threatened" if Tom Tancredo were to remain shackled by his impetuous promise not to run for a fourth term? Fortunately, he is willing to sacrifice his own personal integrity to protect us from that terrible "threat".

How noble of him! I feel so much safer now.

[dighton]

The old "I am indispensable" excuse.

[Callahan]

Tancredo was a leader in Colorado's term limits movement before his election in 1998. He indicated in January he had concluded term limits do not work.

That's classic! Wish this guy was a Dem. I'd feel better about roasting him.

[inkling]

I like Tancredo (considering the alternative) but this is the type of crap that gives politicians a bad name. Has anyone ever kept a term-limit pledge?

Former Congressman Matt Salmon kept his pledge. He's currently the Republican candidate for Arizona governor.

Tancredo and the rest of the term-limit liars make me ill. They get addicted to power but don't have the guts to run for higher office. I'm sorry he calls himself a Republican.

[PRND21]

I like Tancredo (considering the alternative) but this is the type of crap that gives politicians a bad name.Has anyone ever kept a term-limit pledge?

I honestly don't know. As a voter I expect a bit more honesty from my pols.
I'm sure he is doing it for the Children and not himself.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Your hero blows some more hot air.

[PRND21]

Thoughts?

[Black Agnes]

Apparently the naysayers would all prefer 245(i) passed and nationalized healthcare for all Mexican citizens! (paid for of course, by the stupid Americanos who don't have the guts to kick out the illegals because their lawn care might cost more...)

[rellimpank]

--Helen Chenowith of Idaho--accused by the Demotraitors of being the representative of the "militia" movement--kept the pledge.

[inkling]

Apparently the naysayers would all prefer 245(i) passed and nationalized healthcare for all Mexican citizens! (paid for of course, by the stupid Americanos who don't have the guts to kick out the illegals because their lawn care might cost more...)

In other words, "He might be a liar, but he's our liar!"

[Black Agnes]

Tancredo is the only congresscritter currently standing between the US as it was and the US as it will be as a 3rd world pesthole if 245(i) is allowed to pass...