WASHINGTON – White House hopeful Tom Tancredo said Thursday the existence of the Congressional Black Caucus and other race-based groups of lawmakers amount to segregation and should be abolished.

“It is utterly hypocritical for Congress to extol the virtues of a color blind society while officially sanctioning caucuses that are based solely on race,” said the Colorado Republican, who is most widely known as a vocal critic of illegal immigration.

“If we are serious about achieving the goal of a color blind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses,” said Tancredo, who is scheduled to pitch his long-shot presidential bid this weekend in New Hampshire.

One caucus member dismissed Tancredo’s comments as sour grapes from a dethroned Republican, who also happens to be running for president.

“This story is really about a member of the minority party using intolerance to advance his presidential campaign,” said Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo.

Besides the Congressional Black Caucus, Democrats also have a Hispanic caucus with 21 members, and Republicans have a comparable Hispanic conference with five full members and 11 “associate” members who are not Hispanic.