Des Moines Register, IA
12-26-07
In the News: Tancredo folds, backs Romney
THE DES MOINES REGISTER AND JUICE STAFF
Tom Tancredo, a five-term congressman from Colorado, dropped out of the
Republican field for president late last week, then backed former Massahusetts
Gov. Mitt Romney, one of the Iowa frontrunners.
Dianne Bystrom, an Iowa State University political science professor, said
Tancredo's exit and endorsement of Romney could shake up the volatile
Republican field.
"Tancredo throwing his support behind Romney comes at a key time when
Romney is trying to fight off the surge of Mike Huckabee," Bystrom told The Des
Moines Register. "For Romney, it probably couldn't have come at a better time."
Tancredo claimed victory on immigration, the cause that drew him into the race in
the first place, arguing that his stance in favor of strict enforcement forced the
entire field to move toward his position.
In fact, bowing out was the only way to ensure that the momentum behind the
anti-illegal immigration movement wouldn't flame out, he said.