Washington – Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback on Monday criticized fellow conservative candidate Tom Tancredo of Colorado for accepting campaign contributions from a Planned Parenthood backer.
The Brownback campaign said Federal Election Commission records show Rep. Tancredo has received several thousand dollars in contributions from John Tanton, who organized and headed the Northern Michigan Planned Parenthood Association.
Tanton also is an anti-illegal- immigration activist who helped form the Federation for American Immigration Reform policy institute. Illegal immigration is a signature issue for Tancredo.
Brownback and Tancredo oppose abortion rights, but Brownback’s campaign said Tanton’s contributions raise questions about Tancredo’s commitment.
“How can pro-life Iowans believe Tom Tancredo’s commitment to life when he has accepted money from such a prominent abortion supporter?” said Brownback’s Iowa spokesman, John Rankin.
Tancredo adviser Bay Buchanan said Tancredo’s contributors support him and his views.
“In no way does it suggest the congressman endorses theirs,” Buchanan said. “As for the congressman’s pro-life record, it is unassailable. What is far more interesting to the people of Iowa is Sen. Brownback’s complete embrace of massive amnesty for illegal aliens.”
Unlike Tancredo, Brownback has supported giving legal status, under certain conditions, to illegal immigrants in the U.S. During the vote on an immigration bill last week, Brownback changed his vote from yes to no; he said he wanted to highlight the need for reform.
