First, let's remind ourselves how FUBAR it all is. A Washington Post article details how 190,000 AK-47 rifles and pistols have just somehow gone missing after the U.S. gave them to the Iraqi security forces they were training. It is estimated that 30% of the weapons we have shipped to Iraq are in the wrong hands and yet the Republicans scream bloody murder when 6 Iranian weapons are found. John McCain says "bomb bomb Iran." The entire Republican field (Ron Paul is as much a Republican as Joe Lieberman is a Democrat) continues to support President Bush's war. They are very vocal and don't say the war is wrong just that we haven't done enough. Now comes the topper:

Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo's campaign stood by his assertion that bombing holy Muslim sites would serve as a good "deterrent" to prevent Islamic fundamentalists from attacking the United States, his spokeswoman said Friday. "This shows that we mean business," said Bay Buchanan, a senior Tancredo adviser.

How insane is that? Let's start WW3 off with a bang, shall we? Let's just go nuclear on them, that will show them. I mentioned this item to a few people at the office and the reaction was uniform along the lines of rolling eyes and 'You've got to be kidding.' Most Americans realize we live in a real world, not some imaginary place where we can bomb away and solve problems. A bit more on the flip.

I once wrote a post on this blog two months ago calling Tom Tancredo a one-issue candidate. I heard from the Tancredo supporters and they weren't too happy.

Well, today I am a Tancredo fan as he pushed through an amendment that has "stunned" Washington D.C. From the Rocky Mountain News:

The U.S. House of Representatives this morning voted to withhold federal emergency services funding for "sanctuary cities" that protect illegal immigrants.

Anti-illegal immigration champion Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., sponsored the measure, which he says would apply to cities such as Denver and Boulder. He was elated by its passage, which stunned critics and supporters alike.

Not only did it pass, it passed with 50 Democrats crossing over in support. This is a victory for conservatives as a whole and Tancredo in particular. The passage of this amendment could well spell the end of this bill that many on the right have worked extremely hard to kill. If 50 donks crossed, what happens when it comes to voting on the entire bill?

I think the Senate and House are surely feeling the ire of the their constituents and are ducking for cover. They know full-well that they cannot vote for this and get reelected in certain parts of the country. The Blue Dog Dems from the South who were just elected will get voted out in 2008 and they are fully cognizant of that fact.

Tancredo has something to crow about and it may just help him gain some much-needed momentum. More here.

With the recent immigration rallies across the country, the topic of illegal immigration has reclaimed the spotlight. This may give more of an opportunity for 2008 presidential candidate Tom Tancredo to present his views. "Tancredo believes in eliminating incentives for immigrants to come to the U.S. and building a fence along the border with Mexico," the Denver Post reported. "Tancredo also backs deportation of illegal immigrants and legally taking to task any companies that hire them." Sending away people from another country ... hmm ... where have we heard that before? Oh, yeah, Hugo Chavez's government was proposing this for ConocoPhillips.

In a previous cartoon, I compared Tancredo with Chavez. Seems great minds really do think alike, as this week's cartoon demonstrates:

Tom Tancredo, darling of the immigration reformers, announced he would run for the Oval Office:

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) formally announced Monday that he is running for president and said his campaign would be focused on combating illegal immigration.

"I am running for president to give Americans a voice, to win this fight [on illegal immigration]," Tancredo said in his announcement address on an Iowa talk-radio show.

Thanks Tom. The platform of combating illegal immigration will not be enough to win over the American public. Of course, I'm for immigration reform, yet you are a one-issue candidate, ala John Edwards, and no one can win on one issue.

I've often wondered why candidates such as Tancredo, Tommy Thompson and others think they even have a shot. On the Republican side you have heavy hitters like Giuliani, McCain and the real Thompson who has a shot -- Fred. On the donk side you have Hillary and Obama. No one else even measures up (and I'm not quite sure those two do).

First Tom, you announced on a radio show in Iowa. Granted it's a state that candidates go to every four years and grovel for votes, but jeez, at least announce at the border or something. Second, you have absolutely no name recognition among the American people.

One of the major news stories in Massachusetts this month has been an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on a New Bedford factory accused of employing illegal immigrants. State officials, including Governor Deval Patrick, criticized ICE for the way in which the arrests were made, separating parents from children. Would a President Tom Tancredo pursue more of this policy, given his stance against illegal immigration? Bob and Edgar discuss in the latest "Running Gags."

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo -- a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate -- has emerged as a staunch foe of illegal immigration. But have he -- and Bob -- met their match? Find out in this latest edition of "Running Gags"!

P.S.: Hat tip to my dad on this one.