By Bea Loughnee
Washington Reporter
LITTLETON, Colo. -- Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., little-known candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, yesterday challenged his GOP rivals to a duel, saying, "let's settle this mano-a-mano!"
Armed with two revolvers snuggled into holsters strapped to his thighs, a bandoleer, an M-16, two grenade launchers, a Bowie knife and a bullet-proof vest, Tancredo said he could "gun down any varmint who steps into my district to accept this challenge! Or, conversely, I can come to you. I still have some frequent flier miles I haven't used up yet. So, you know, just let me know!"
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the first to respond. The only candidate who is also a member of the National Rifle Association, Romney declined Tancredo's challenge. A campaign official speaking off the record said the gun safe in Romney's Wolfeboro, N.H., vacation home hasn't held firearms in years. Instead, it holds a vast assortment of top-quality combs and exotic hair brushes that are "completely useless in a firefight, unfortunately. But if John Edwards wants a hair contest, he's on!"
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also declined the challenge, saying only, "My friends Guido, Tony and Marco find your proposition very interesting and would like to discuss it further with you over dinner at Mama Leoni's on Sullivan Street at 9 p.m. Tuesday."
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said he would accept the challenge as soon as he raised enough campaign funds to make the trip to Colorado.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee both declined the challenge and asked supporters to pray for Tancredo's soul and the balance of his campaign funds if he quits the race.
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said he completely supports Tancredo's right to duel, but, citing the theory of comparative advantage, said accepting a duel with Tancredo would be like "trying to make a cheap plastic toy at a lower price than the Chinese."
Only Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accepted Tancredo's challenge. The troubled McCain, once considered the front-runner, said he would meet Tancredo "any time, any place, amigo!"
McCain's campaign first suggested meeting at The Alamo, but after a firestorm of criticism from the conservative Republican base withdrew that offer. The campaign instead offered to let Republican voters pick the site via an online auction, with the two campaigns splitting the proceeds. Tancredo immediately accepted.
Ron Paul, coming in last was desperate to engage any candidate in a hotdog eating contest.
Posted by: BelchSpeak | August 20, 2007 at 04:46 PM