Denver Post, CO
08-08-07
Tancredo in race through '07
Campaign expects $2 million in federal matching funds in January
By Karen E. Crummy Denver Post Staff Writer
Regardless of where presidential aspirant Tom Tancredo places in Saturday's
Iowa Straw Poll, he plans to stay in the race at least through January.
"We're looking to finish in the top half. But we're staying in right through the Iowa
caucus and New Hampshire (primary)," said Tancredo senior adviser Bay
Buchanan. "We have a lot of momentum and energy building."
The campaign is also expected to file papers for federal primary matching funds
in the next week or so, Buchanan said. Federal law permits contributions from
individuals of up to $250 to be matched dollar for dollar by public funds.
Tancredo raised $2.8 million through June. Buchanan estimates that the
campaign should already be eligible for roughly $2 million in public financing,
which is disbursed at the beginning of the year.
"Candidates often stay in the race until January so they qualify for matching
funds and can leave the race without substantial debt," said Jennifer Duffy,
managing editor of the non-partisan Cook Political Report. "Some of these
candidates like Tancredo are in it to promote an issue and agenda for as long as
they have enough money to show up and make the case."
The Colorado congressman, whose presidential platform has focused almost
entirely on stopping illegal immigration, has centered his campaign in Iowa.
He is one of eight candidates taking part in the GOP straw poll at Iowa State
University in Ames that is expected to draw about 40,000 people. The event
tests the strength and organization of the GOP presidential campaigns.
Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, is favored to win the poll. Two
other Republican front-runners - Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York
City, and U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona - bowed out of the straw poll in June.
Fred Thompson, an actor and former senator from Tennessee, has not officially
announced his candidacy.
All three, however, are on the straw poll ballot and political observers have
forecast that one or two may collect a surprising number of votes.
Tancredo's competitors for second place are primarily Kansas Sen. Sam
Brownback, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Tommy Thompson, the
former governor of Wisconsin.
Although Tancredo is up for re-election next year - and some Colorado
Republicans are champing at the bit to replace him in his GOP-safe 6th District he has not said whether he will run.
"Tom has plenty of time to finalize his decision," said Tancredo congressional
spokesman Carlos Espinosa. "He is an incumbent, has plenty of cash on hand
and incredible popularity. It's safe to assume if he decides to stay in the district,
he will stay."
Staff writer Karen E. Crummy can be reached at 303-954-1594 or
kcrummy@denverpost.com