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'Viva Tancredo'

Tom Tancredo vowed never to run ads in Spanish. He's changed his mind.
Image: Immigrants rally in front of LA City Hall demanding reform and rights
epa03463953 A man holds a poster that reads 'I am the American Dream' as he as he joined other immigrants who gathered in front of Los Angeles City Hall in...
 
"No, I would not advertise in Spanish," he said. "Believe me when I tell you this: the preservation of the English language is important for us for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is because it is what holds us together. It is the glue that keeps a country together, any country. Bilingual countries don't work, and we should not encourage it."
 
How far has the debate shifted in a progressive direction over the last several years? This far.

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo, best known as an immigration firebrand, this week unveiled a strategy he hopes will lure Hispanic voters to his side. The former congressman launched www.VivaTancredo.com, and announced he will have campaign ads on Spanish radio stations and open a new campaign office in Pueblo.

It's worth emphasizing that Tancredo's Spanish-language advertising will emphasize support for legal immigration -- which for the former congressman, is still evidence of a slight shift to the left -- and will reportedly be part of a broader effort.
 
The Denver Post report added that Tancredo also plans to distribute "Viva Tancredo: Live your own life" bumper stickers.
 
No, seriously.
 
Rick Palacio, chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, responded, "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."
 
There are currently six Republicans running for governor in Colorado. The primary is June 24.
 
This is Tancredo's second statewide campaign -- he ran for governor on a third-party ticket four years ago, taking 36% of the vote.