SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM TOM TANCREDO
It is with my heart full of
gratitude and a touch of sadness
that I write today to tell you
of my intention to end my
campaign for the presidency.
As a loyal friend and supporter
it is important to me that you
understand why I am doing this,
even though you may disagree.
For the past ten years I have
dedicated my public life to the
critical issue of illegal
immigration. I believed then –as
I do now—that massive
uncontrolled illegal immigration
threatens our survival as a
nation. I could not stand by and
let open border politicians and
corporate lobbyists sell our
country out to the highest
bidder.
Then earlier this year when I
feared that the issue would not
be championed by any of the top
candidates I threw my hat in the
ring. It was the only way I
could be certain that the
candidates would be forced to
take a stand.
Thanks to your incredible
support look what we have
accomplished:
Just last week Newsweek declared
that "Anti-immigrant zealot
[that would be me] had already
won. Now even Dems dance to his
no mas salsa tune. " This month
alone The Economist, the New
Yorker, the Wall Street Journal
and a score of other newspapers
have written similar
assessments, grudgingly
crediting our campaign with
forcing the issue of immigration
to the center of the national
stage and -- more importantly -—
with forcing every presidential
candidate to commit themselves
to an immigration plan that
calls for securing the borders,
opposing amnesty and enforcing
the law.
Of course, many of the
candidates need to be pinned
down on their understanding of
the meaning of amnesty, but we
have succeeded beyond my most
optimistic expectations of a
year ago. We even have Hillary
jumping through hoops on the
issue!
So with so much success why drop
out of the race now, you are
probably asking. For one reason
and one reason alone: I believe
the cause demands I do so.
The presidential campaign has
come down to less than a handful
of viable candidates.
Unfortunately several of them
have abysmal records on
immigration and can’t be trusted
to do what is needed to preserve
this country if they’re elected.
My fear is that if I were to
stay in this race my votes could
be the factor in handing victory
to a pro-amnesty politician.
Friends, we have done too much,
come too far and the stakes are
too high to play that hand. And
so I am ending my presidential
campaign.
I know there are many more
battles in our future and you
can count on me to stay in this
fight with you. We must continue
to build the unquestioned
momentum that is fueling our
movement today. In the weeks
ahead, I will write to you again
to share with you my plans for
the future, and for the
immigration reform movement that
is transforming American
politics.
But for now, I just wish to
again express to you my deepest
thanks and appreciation for your
partnership with me in this
historic effort. I also want to
wish you a very blessed and
merry Christmas!
We have come so far together,
and through our efforts we have
made a stunning and, I believe,
permanent impact on the debate
over securing our borders and
preserving our nation.
Not a day has gone by in this
campaign that I have not thanked
God for the dedication of so
many Americans like you. I can
promise you that as long as He
gives me life and strength, I
will work hard for our cause and
to honor the trust you have
placed in me.
With sincere best wishes,
Tom Tancredo