Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo is unapologetic about flipping off a supporter of Democratic state senator Evie Hudak.
Hudak is facing a recall over her support of new gun control laws.
Tancredo was caught on camera giving the finger to a Hudak supporter at a rally of signature gatherers who want Hudak kicked out of office.
Tancredo told Denver’s CBS4 that the man yelled an expletive at him after following him around with a video camera.
“Look, this guy is a thug, and you have to talk to thugs in a language they understand,” he said.
Tancredo has never shied from controversy, whether by referring to Miami as a “third world country” because of its large population of immigrants or by suggesting the United States bomb Mecca if terrorists attack the United States with nuclear weapons.
His unapologetic nature has riled many Republicans but has also given him something of a following amongst conservatives.
When asked by reporter Shaun Boyd if maybe giving the finger to an opponent is unbecoming of a gubernatorial candidate, Tancredo dismissed the criticism and said he’d do it again if the situation called for it.
“You’re right, I’m running for governor, Tom Tancredo, now that’s who I am,” he said. “I’m just a regular guy and I have the same sort of reaction to things that regular people do.”
“Politics is nasty,” Boyd replied. “So every time somebody insults you, are you going to flip them off?”
“It depends on the circumstances,” Tancredo said.
Hudak is the third Democratic lawmaker to face the threat of a recall. In September, voters ousted former Senate President John Morse and former Sen. Angela Giron. Recall proponents have until Dec. 3 to gather the requisite 18,900 signatures to trigger a special election to recall Hudak.
If she is successfully voted out of office, Republicans will regain control of the Senate. Democrats currently have a majority in both chambers of the state legislature.
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