The chairman of the Republican Party said Friday that the party backs U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, despite rifts the Colorado congressman has created with some Hispanic groups.
“The fact is, we’re a big-tent party. I’m proud that we have debate in our party. I think debating the way to protect our borders and protect our national security is a good thing. I believe in a big public debate,” Ken Mehlman said.
Mehlman said if Tancredo is nominated for a fifth term, the party will back him. That’s a sharp change from 2002, when a spokeswoman for the party said Tancredo did not speak for mainstream Republican values.
Tancredo has come under fire from some Hispanic groups for his calls for tougher immigration enforcement. Hispanic and Islamic groups have called for his resignation, citing Tancredo’s suggestion to target Islamic holy sites if terrorists launch a nuclear attack on the U.S.
