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Faced with the emergence of Tom Tancredo as a third-party contender who will likely split the GOP vote, dejected Colorado Republicans on Monday tried to come up with a realistic strategy to take back the Governor's Residence.

But political observers — and even state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams — were already predicting the former congressman's entry into the race sounded the death knell for the party's gubernatorial bid and may cause problems for state legislative races.

"It's difficult if not impossible to beat (Democrat) John Hickenlooper with Tancredo in the race," said Wadhams, noting that Tancredo will siphon just enough votes away from the GOP nominee to give Hickenlooper a win.

Added political analyst Eric Sondermann: "There is a danger that Tancredo is going to say outrageous things and other Republicans will be called on to react to them. This complicates the Republican agenda."

Tancredo is perhaps most well-known for his staunch battle against illegal immigration. Most recently, he has called for the impeachment of President Barack Obama. Three years ago, he said the U.S. should "bomb Mecca" if terrorists used nuclear weapons against the U.S.

Last week, he issued an ultimatum to GOP candidates Scott McInnis, who is embroiled in a plagiarism scandal, and Dan Maes, who owes $17,500 for violating campaign-finance laws: Promise by Monday to get out of the race if polls show the Aug. 10 primary winner lagging behind Hickenlooper or else he would get in as the American Constitution Party candidate.

McInnis and Maes rejected the ultimatum.

"Coming from a man whose career has been marked by often-astonishing levels of arrogance, this move shouldn't surprise us," Maes said. "And yet, one would suppose that even someone of Tancredo's conceit would bow to the greater good."

Tancredo said Monday he intends to officially become the Constitution Party candidate as soon as a number of legal requirements are fulfilled. And he isn't bothered by those who call him a spoiler.

"Most of my political life, a lot of people have disliked what I do," he told The Denver Post, which first reported Monday his intention to launch a third-party bid. "The (Republican) party is already a mess."

Wadhams said Tancredo's candidacy had nothing to do with Republicans and everything to do with self-interest.

"He is a maniacal egotist whose only goal is to get media attention," Wadhams said.

This year was the Republicans' best shot at winning the governor's race in eight years, and a number of independent political groups and the Republican Governors Association had already invested time and money in the race.

Tancredo can likely inflict political damage on Hickenlooper, but analysts don't believe it will be long-lasting, especially because Tancredo is viewed as too extreme by many unaffiliateds and moderates.

"I think Tancredo can make Hickenlooper's life less pleasant, but I would say what Colorado cares about is jobs and the economy," said Katy Atkinson, a GOP consultant.

Said Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli: "There is no possibility of a win in a three-way race with two Republicans."

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Tom Tancredo isn't going away. The former congressman and one-time presidential candidate may have upended the Colorado gubernatorial race with his third-party run, but he's still not shy to air his controversial views on national issues. In a phone interview with TPM, Tancredo discussed the gubernatorial race, the Cordoba House project, and what he really fears about Obama. He also referenced a long-standing urban legend about the Obamas' supposed war on Christmas.

"I remember a little thing, like Ms. Obama saying she didn't want any Christian artifacts in the White House during Christmas time," Tancredo said. Another problem, Tancredo said, is "hosting Ramadan events there."

Tancredo's recitation of the urban myth about Michelle Obama disdaining Christmas is just one of several instance of Tancredo ascribing an otherness to the Obamas.

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During the eight years f the Bush Admiistration, First lady Laura Bush chose particular (non-religious) themes for the Christmas trees, then sent ornaments to various organizations asking them to select artists to decorate them in accordance with the given theme. There was “Holiday in the National Parks” one year and a “Red White and Blue Christmas” another.

In mid 2009, the rumor circulated that brusquely informed past participants that henceforth, aboreal ornaments should be referred to as “holiday trees” rather than “Christmas trees”, and that submission of ornaments with a religious theme would not be welcome. We could not confirm whether the practice begun by Laura Bush would continue throughout the Obama Administration, but according to White House Spokesman, the letter referenced in the e-mail does not exist. The trees in the White House will be called Christmas trees, and the tree on the Elipse will be called the National Christmas Tree. There will be no name changes. Michele Obama took delivery of the White House Christmas tree, which was clearly labeled as such, in November 2009.

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