Tom Tancredo Breaks Old Vow to Not Campaign in Spanish

Tom Tancredo, a former congressman and current gubernatorial candidate in Colorado, has launched a campaign to appeal to Spanish-speaking voters in the state.

Tom Tancredo, a former congressman and current gubernatorial candidate in Colorado, has launched a campaign to appeal to Spanish-speaking voters in the state. Let's just remind ourselves that Tancredo — who once referred to Miami as a third-world country — recently wrote an article that accused President Barack Obama of being "addicted to dictatorial behavior" and had Ted Nugent stump for him by penning fundraising emails last year.

Tancredo's website now features his Viva Tancredo campaign alongside scenic snowy mountains and the open landscape of the American West. Tancredo, who is well-known for his support of English as the official language of the United States, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2008 and for Colorado governor on the Constitution Party ticket in 2010.

Tancredo's new Spanish-language advertising will emphasize support for legal immigration when they air on the radio in Pueblo this week. The Denver Post also reports that the ads will note a broken immigration system that rewards undocumented immigrants instead of law-abiding migrants.

The video below shows Tancredo telling Wolf Blitzer, "No, I would not advertise in Spanish," during a 2008 president cycle debate:

 

The Viva Tancredo website features a Spanish-language news report on the candidate, in which he wears another one of his wryly controversial baseball caps, this time flashing the logo of the U.S. Border Patrol. 

 

In a spectacularly Colorado-esque statement, Rick Palacio, chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, said, “It’s no wonder Tom Tancredo advocated for the passage of recreational marijuana, because he’s obviously smoking something if he thinks a Spanish language ad can somehow erase his years of fighting against the interests of Hispanics and our families.”

 

While Tancredo's attempt to lure Hispanic voters to the far (right) side is still in its early days, his complete shift to supporting bilingual campaign advertising shows the increasing importance of including Spanish-speaking voters in this year's political races.  

And for those who think this is simply a gimmick to get press attention and not a real campaign platform, don't worry: There will be 'Viva Tancredo: Live your own life' bumper stickers. Just in time for Colorado's June 24 primary.