Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean this month called on Republican presidential candidate John McCain to denounce Rep. Tom Tancredo’s criticism of undocumented immigrants and the role they play in religion in the US .  The Denver Post reports that at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington , Dean criticized Tancredo’s recent remarks during Pope Benedict XVI’s US visit, as well as  his long-standing opposition to immigration.  

"After years of failing to address immigration reform, the Republican Party has instead used the issue to scapegoat people to win elections," Dean said.  He urged McCain that if he "believes, as he has said, that ‘these are God’s children,’ he should not stand by silently as Tancredo…continues using immigrants as scapegoats or playing politics with immigration legislation."  

The appeal from Dean came after comments Tancredo made regarding a speech on US immigration by Pope Benedict XVI.  In his speech, the pope encouraged Americans to "welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes."  He claims that the pope had urged the US to embrace undocumented immigrants because it would boost the Catholic church’s membership, citing a Wall Street Journal editorial that claims the church is losing native-born members while gaining foreign-born, mostly Latino members.  

Tancredo said he was "not surprised by Dean’s comment.  "The far left has been siding with foreign governments, radical multiculturalists and illegal aliens in the immigration debate," warning Dean that "American citizens—not illegal aliens—are the ones going to the polls this November."