It's a stock question when primaries get heated: If defeated, will you support the winner? Not necessarily, said Tom Tancredo in Tuesday's Republican presidential debate. Reading between the lines, this appears to mean the Colorado congressman could walk if John McCain or Rudy Giuliani gets the GOP nomination; among his rivals, they are the ones whose immigration policies most differ from his. The Rocky Mountain News paraphrased his comments this way: "Tancredo said he was tired of voting for the 'lesser of two evils' in presidential contests, and that if the Republicans nominate someone he does not consider to be a principled candidate, he will not support the person."
It was just a week ago that Focus on the Family leader James Dobson issued a similar warning (albeit for different reasons) on the New York Times oped page, confirming his rumored participation in a secret meeting of Republican dissidents in Utah: "If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate."
Tancredo is my old friend and political comrade in arms. He represents me in Congress and does it well. He is the only presidential candidate I've given money to this year. As for Dr. Dobson, I admire him greatly, and I believe our country (and my party) owe him a debt of gratitude for defending our Judeo-Christian moral and spiritual heritage so ably in the public arena.
But on this party-bolting toot of theirs, this guaranteed formula for a Hillary Clinton presidency, I can only say: "Gentlemen, please, come off it. Get a grip."