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Posted: July 26, 2007 3:09 PM
Iowa Congressman Says Tancredo Could Finish Strong in Straw Poll
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Regardless of the doubts some political observers may have about the viability of Rep. Tom Tancredo:, R-Colo., at least one socially conservative congressman from Iowa thinks Tancredo will do well in the state’s straw poll in August.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said this week he believes Tancredo and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will finish strong in the Ames straw poll on Aug. 11. King told the conservative news Web site OneNewsNow that Tancredo “might be a surprise” in the straw poll and could use that momentum in the January caucuses.

Tancredo is fresh off his coyly named “Save America Tour,” which has consisted of relentless campaigning through Iowa. His recent Hawkeye State appearances seem to be attracting larger crowds than in previous months — as his campaign has documented.

His campaign also has started offering incentives for student straw poll participants. Cyclone Conservative blogger Don McDowell, who serves as co-chairman of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans, published an e-mail from the Tancredo campaign that details prizes such as a free semester’s worth of textbooks and free gas cards. It also explains how supporters can become lieutenants, captains, majors, and generals in Tancredo’s “Army Against Amnesty.”

Tensions between the Tancredo campaign and the campaign of Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., swelled this week with allegations from the senator’s campaign that John Tanton, a campaign donor with connections to Planned Parenthood, is also a racist who advocates population control. In response, the Tancredo campaign has demanded an apology from Brownback.

“Sam and I have been friends for several years and he is well aware of my lifelong commitment to the unborn. Yet he has approved the use of despicable and deceitful campaign tactics in an effort to deliberately mislead the voters of Iowa concerning my record and my commitment to life,” Tancredo said in a statement released by his campaign.