Tancredo sees civilization clash
By: Laura Shatzer - The Daily Iowan
Posted: 7/20/07
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., has made the "the clash of civilizations" his personal battle as he runs for president.
"It's a clash of civilizations that I think we are in," he said at a campaign event Thursday. "We are being challenged by radical Islam. It is the end of Western civilization if they win this thing."
As a part of his "Save America Tour," the presidential-nomination candidate spoke to an audience of around 35 in the Coralville home of Bob and Jeanne Refhuss. He began his talk with the issue that prompted him to enter the race for the Republican nomination: what he describes as the necessity of closing America's borders to illegal immigrants. He later clarified that he views the influx of illegal aliens into the country as linked to a greater loss of American identity.
Immigrants should be eager to learn English and honored to be an American, Tancredo said, adding that cheap labor is not worth the costs of providing health care to illegal aliens and housing them in prisons.
"We are becoming a bilingual nation, and that is not good," he said, holding up a copy of the Ottumwa Courier which was printed in Spanish and English. Tancredo also said has qualms about the 10 million people who hold dual citizenship in the United States.
"If you're not really sure to which country you're loyal, go back until you figure it out," he said.
The former junior-high civics teacher said Americans must also be proud of what their country has done for the world, including Iraq. He said the current U.S. presence in Iraq is unacceptable, but he trusts in President Bush's November benchmark for transferring complete control to the Iraqis.
"The position of being the policemen in Iraq is one that's not sustainable," Tancredo said. "[Iraq] has to be taken over by the Iraqis."
Tancredo said that sometimes arms are required in what he called a "war with radical Islam." He said the "Islamization of Europe" - the world's largest mosque is being built in London, and Muhammad is set to become the most popular name for British baby boys - may mean that America will have to fight this battle alone.
"I have one rule of engagement: We win, you lose," he said, earning a round of applause. "We cannot afford to enter into wars. They are far too serious, ugly things."
In questions fielded from the audience, the lifelong conservative iterated his small government stance, highlighting his belief that government does not have a role to play in health care.
"He's a very principled man," said Coralville supporter Pat Collins, who is contemplating attending the Iowa Straw Poll. "I think we really have to be active to save our country."
Another event attendee, North Liberty resident Merlyn Brammer, added, "We knew him as kind of a one-issue candidate, but he has a grasp of all the issues."
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