The Tom Tancredo Show: The search for America's next crazy presidential contender.
by Eric Hananoki

In the fast-paced world of reality television, viewers are gawking over the contestant who just won't be voted off (Sanjaya!), the dancer with the prosthetic leg (Paul McCartney's ex-wife!) and the cleverly titled, The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman (a movie allusion!). To those who call this entertainment, I have one retort: boring.

If there's any reality competition that should be capturing the nation's viewing attention, it's the burgeoning field of 2008 presidential contenders. On the Democratic side, there's sex (Clinton!), youth (Obama!), medical drama (Edwards!), and intrigue (who's Chris Dodd?!).

But while the Democrats are interesting, it's the Republican field that has me excited. In addition to an angry war veteran, weight-loss Dr. Phil-wannabe, and a cross-dressing mayor, the real star may just be a shoot-from-the-hip Coloradoan who combines Archie Bunker charm with Mel Gibsonesque sensibility.

This past Monday, Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) formally announced he's running for the Republican nomination for president. Here's a look at the man who just may capture the minds — and votes! — of Americans in '08:

The Dreamer. What Tancredo lacks in foreign policy decorum, he makes up for in crazy ideas and shoot-for-the-Mecca moxie. Congressman Tancredo first jumped into the spotlight in the summer of 2005 when he appeared on an Orlando radio program and surmised that the best way to respond to an attack against America is to bomb Mecca. The "Bomb Mecca" lobby in Washington was ecstatic, but foreign policy wonks and state department officials were less so, especially after "US Congressman Proposes Bombing Mecca" headlines appeared in Arab newspapers. Tancredo later said he was "just throwing out some ideas."

The Hypocrite. Tancredo is often labeled a single-issue candidate — something he doesn't deny — for his constant fight against illegal immigration. In 1999, he founded the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, and since has dedicated the majority of his legislation fighting for stricter border control and stiffer penalties for companies that employ illegal aliens. But in a Law and Order twist, Tancredo himself had illegals work in his home. A 2002 Denver Post investigation found at least two illegal immigrants from Latin America helped install a home entertainment system in Tancredo's Colorado home.

The Racist. Noted social scientist and Broadway play "Avenue Q" made the following observation about Americans: "Everyone's a little bit racist / Sometimes." If correct, Tancredo may have stumbled onto a political goldmine of votes. Back in September, Tancredo gave an anti-immigration speech to the League of the South, a white supremacy and secessionist group. During the talk, Tancredo also joined in a singing of the confederate song, "Dixie," in a room with Confederate flags and a picture of Robert E. Lee.

And he's also good with Hispanics, ladies! Just two months after his Confederate talk, and watching Scarface on his Hispanic-installed home entertainment system, Tancredo caused a stir when he referred to the city of Miami as a "Third World country" that's trying to "create the illusion" of a "multiethnic 'All American' city"." After Hispanics protested the Congressman's comments, Tancredo fired back that there's little difference between Cuba and Miami when it comes to free speech.

Yet for all his far-right posturing and propensity to propel himself into the media spotlight, it appears unlikely that Tancredo will be America's Jean-Marie Le Pen and receive his party's nomination in 2008. Polling shows Tancredo strong with the white racist vote, but doing poorly among the more influential "let's try to win" block. But not all hope is lost: Tancredo's campaign chairman is noted 3rd-party Magellan Bay Buchanan, sister and former campaign manager of 2000 Reform party candidate Pat Buchanan.

Which opens up another casting wet dream: a Tancredo / Buchanan ticket.

E-mail Eric Hananoki at halona at gmail dot com.