Tancredo may be leaving GOP race

Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, whose forceful opposition to illegal immigration vaulted him to national prominence, plans to announce he is abandoning his long-shot bid for the presidency, a person close to Tancredo said in Denver.

The five-term Colorado congressman planned to make the announcement at a news conference in Des Moines today, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for Tancredo or his political campaign.

Tancredo campaign officials would only say he planned a “major announcement” today.