Tancredo boycotts debate due to Spanish translation
By: The Denver Post12/9/2007
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- Republican presidential hopeful, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., reacts to a question during the CNN YouTube Republican party presidential debate Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado is boycotting a Spanish-language debate with his fellow GOP presidential candidates today, saying it has no place in a presidential race and accusing his rivals of "pandering."
"It is the law that to become a naturalized citizen of this country you must have knowledge and understanding of English, including a basic ability to read, write, and speak the language," Tancredo said in a release Friday. "So what may I ask are our presidential candidates doing participating in a Spanish-speaking debate?"
Tancredo has made hard-line immigration issues the hallmark of his long-shot presidential campaign in much the same way it has branded his five terms in the House. The congressman's two campaign ads focused on border security and threats ranging from terrorists to gangs — using bloody images to underscore the point in both cases.
Tancredo said that to drive home the idea that the nation needs a common language, he will not join the other candidates at the Univision Republican debate in Miami. "Bilingualism is a great asset for any individual, but it has perilous consequences for a nation," Tancredo said. "As such, a Spanish debate has no place in a presidential campaign."
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Tancredo boycotts debate due to Spanish translation
Those whom criticize Tom better wake up and soon. It won't be long before many phone messages begin with dial 1 for Spanish, dial 2 for English.
I agree perfectly with Tom's position regarding this debate. We all should! This is America, the national language is English, not Spanish. The other lily-livered candidates who pandered to the request for Spanish translation showed no class, guts, or spine at all, just greed for votes.
McCain is in a special class all by his lonesome. The man is on his farewell tour politically speaking both nationally and here at home in Arizona. He has lost all touch with his constituents. Many republicans here in Arizona are now hard at work finding someone with a better understanding of the situation regarding the invasion of illegal's to replace him.
I'm not saying that the democrats won't do this Spanish thing as well. When it comes to lowering oneself to attract votes, democratic candidates have no equal. But, we have come to expect it of them, not the republicans.
If those concerned want non-English speaking people to hear and understand presidential candidates, they need to push those folks into learning and comprehending English pronto.
Yep. Tom's remarks were right on the money!
Translation
Tancredo's speeches are translated from the original German. I guess he favors only one language.
Tancredo boycotts debate due to Spanish translation
If it is this easy to get rid of Tom Tancredo then I say we translate all campaign events into Spanish.