SelectSmart.com 2008 SelectSmart.com
Presidential Candidate Selector
Candidate Positions

Rep. Tom Tancredo - Republican
  • Iraq War issues: Voted for USA Patriot Act of 2001, Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 and Authorization for Use of Military Force. "Our continued presence in Iraq as the referee in a civil war inhibits this development." This should be more than a benchmark. I believe it should be used as the time frame for our disengagement from Iraq. We can maintain a military presence in the area to act as a quick response force with a mission to destroy Al Qaeda elements while simultaneously aiding the new balance of power in the region to develop. I am not alone in my thoughts about what to do in Iraq. Former UN Ambassador John Bolton, in a recent interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN, concurred. "I think it's clear that the United States has met the obligation that it incurred when it overthrew Saddam Hussein. And that's to try and provide some conditions of security for the Iraqis to determine what kind of country or what kind of society they want in the future. We have met that obligation. That obligation does not need to be extended. And this is really the last chance for them. After that, we need to pursue very narrowly what our strategic interest is. And that's making sure that terrorism doesn't find root in that country."---Former UN Ambassador John Bolton Campaign website
  • Security/liberties: Tancredo supported the interests of the American Security Council 100 percent in 2003-2004. Campaign website Tancredo supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 9 percent in 2005-2006. Campaign website
  • Social Security: Congress should consider some form of individually directed personal savings accounts. Future retirees should have more flexibility and involvement in planning for their retirement, and have the opportunity to earn more on their retirement investments than Social Security currently can offer. We can give future retirees this opportunity, while preserving and protecting Social Security for today’s beneficiaries and for the Baby Boomers nearing retirement. Campaign website
  • Stem cell research: Opposes federal funding of stem research. Campaign website
  • Same sex issues: Voted "yes" on a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment providing that marriage in the U.S. consists only of the union of a man and a woman, and federal and state constitutions can not be construed to require marriage or legal incidents of marriage be conferred in other unions. Campaign website
  • Trade issues: Tancredo supported the interests of the free trade advocating CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies 50 percent in 2003-2004. Campaign website
  • Budget issues: The balanced budget favoring Concord Coalition gave Representative Tancredo a rating of 95 percent. Campaign website
  • Business & labor issues: Grade from the National Federation of Independent Business: A. Campaign website
  • Abortion issues: Grade from the National Right to Life Committee: A. Campaign website
  • Capital punishment:
  • Marijuana: Tancredo Votes for Medical Marijuana Bill. He broke with Republicans yesterday to vote for the Hinchey- Rohrabacher Amendment which would bar the U.S. Department of Justice (including the D.E.A.) from using taxpayer funds to conduct medical marijuana raids or arrest and prosecute users in the 11 states, including Colorado, where voters have approved medical marijuana. Campaign website
  • Gun control: Grade from the National Rifle Association: A. Campaign website
  • Minimum wage: Consistently votes against minimum wage increases. Campaign website
  • Health care: Opposes universal healthcare. "many lawmakers advocate for government-provided, universal health care for all Amerricans. That is, they push for further government intrusion into private matters that would, through policy, become public. By championing existing levels of nationalized health care, mainly Medicare and Medicaid, and calling for even more, these lawmakers are tossing their hands in the air and justifying more government involvement into people's private lives." Source
  • Prescription drugs: Voted "yes" on allowing imported prescription drugs. Voted against Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act. Source
  • Environmental issues: Tancredo supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 0 percent in 2005. Tancredo supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 11 percent in 2005. Source
  • Immigration issues: am absolutely opposed to amnesty. In addition to rewarding those who broke our laws, amnesties simply do not solve the problem of illegal immigration. The only realistic solution to the problem of illegal immigration is a strategy of attrition, which seeks to reduce the flow of the illegal alien population over time by cutting off the incentives for coming to and staying in America - most importantly by eliminating the jobs magnet. America must also reexamine its legal immigration policies. Grade from the Americans for Better Immigration: A+. Campaign website
    Opposes amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source
  • Education issues: Supports school vouchers, and opposes any federal involvement. He voted against the No Child Left Behind Act. Source
  • Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).
  • Campaign website