Perry open to sending troops to Mexico against drug cartels
Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Rick Perry signaled Saturday he would be open to sending U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels should the situation arise.
After speaking at a house party in Manchester, the Texas governor was asked a series of questions about the border and his stance on illegal immigration.
He said the leaders of Mexico and the U.S. should meet after next year's elections to address the deadly drug trade in that country.
"It may require our military in Mexico working in concert with them to kill these drug cartels and to keep them off of our border," Perry said.
Campaign press secretary Robert Black said Perry wanted to cooperate with the Mexican government and wasn't ruling anything out.
"He's going to work with the Mexican government to do what's necessary," Black said.
Perry also fielded questions on his stance on illegal immigrants already in the country, and offered a glimpse of the stance he may deploy on the debate circuit. The issue has offered his opponents the chance to wound Perry in previous debates.
An audience member at the house party asked Perry about his support for a Texas law that grants in-state college tuition to the children of some illegal immigrants.
Perry defended his stance as being widely popular among state legislators and asserted it was a states' rights issue. And he told the audience that - as a border-state governor - he was the only candidate with the experience and "courage" to tackle illegal immigration.
"I'm the only one that's been dealing with it for the last 10 years, and I know how to secure that border," he said.
He also took a subtle dig at his opponents, who have attacked the Texas governor's conservative bona fides on illegal immigration at a series of debates this fall.
"I don't have the privilege to stand on a stage and say, oh here's what I would do," Perry said. "I've been governor of Texas for 10 years. I have to deal with these issues, real-time."
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Really? You want us to stand on the border with guns and shoot children? What is wrong with you?
This confirms he is a straw man created by the same money behind Obama. He is like Palin in that he will fracture the Republican base by drawing in the real nut jobs. Anyone who believes this would work is dumber than the day is long and I know he can't be that dumb.
With all that "experience" of being a border state governor, etc., why is the problem getting worse instead of better. This guy is a just an idiot in thug's clothing.
I now live in Colorado thank God, but I lived nearly my whole life in TX. What people are finding out about Rick Perry now, is what some in Texas have known all along. This guy is as crooked as they come, and he likes to play the Jesus card whenever deemed necessary. He is a complete joke and idiot. Check out how much he spends for a haircut or remodeling the govenor's mansion. Those were two amazingly ridiculous stories. Please dont buy anything this clown has to say.
Armn the Tea Party and send them to Mexico. Since thye want to reduce spending they should be willing to fight withour getting paid for it. I'm all for that.
Here we go with another war, Perry will have to lower the taxes even further for the wealthy because its the Republican way to start wars and lower taxes so their cronies can make billions off of wars.I think it would be best to stay home pay the bills and create real jobs for everybody. Going to Mexico to fight the drug cartels will just bring war to every state on US soil and kill thousands of innocent Americans and this war would never end just like drugs will never stop being used.
I'm sure every redneck from Alabama and Texas (age 18 to 75) will volunteer for that force. It shoul be ALL VOLUNTEER WITH NO GOVERNMENT TAXPAYER MONEY FUNDING IT.
perhaps while he is sending people out to curb a serious problem..he could fire all staff and employees of FDA, and hire a new competant staff to ensure the US food supply is safe, and that meat, poultry processing plants are manned with US citizens, and that sludge from treatment plants is not permitted to be cast on farmers fields where our food supply is ulitimately grown..you know, the most obvious in our country is what is overlooked..
First let me say, what is he crazy? We've been at war for 10 years and this guy wants to send US troops to Mexico with the risk of getting killed?
Secondly, only if he sends his oldest child in the first wave, assuming they are at least 18, if not let them reach 18 and they can move to Mexico and join the Federalis.
Legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs. This takes the drugs from cartels to farmers. It gives people jobs, creates a new tax base, and probably lead to a decline in overall drug use. Take the taboo out of drugs and some people won't do them. We have learned the drug war is a failure and a waste of money. People are still going to still use drugs, this way the FDA can monitor the drugs and make it safe.
If Perry knows how to secure the border, then WHY IS IT NOT SECURE?
Airbag
Let's start another war. That will fix the economy.
Republicans love wars. I hate republicans.
This last gaffe isn't even being reported by Perry's biggest backer, Foxy News. I'll bet the drumbeat by Foxy for Christie will get very intense from this point on. I'm thinking the Republican Party would like to lock Perry in a closet for a month or so. This is the end for any of the Tea Party candidates. Forgot talk show host Cain but he can't keep his mouth shut either. So, here comes the mainstream, Romney or Christie.
Rick Perry is taking heartless decision now
The solution is to reduce the demand for drugs in this country and not sending soldiers into Mexico. How can we trust a President Perry to make the right decision if he had to answer the hot line phone at 3 am?
Should the need arise?
Hasn't he noticed there's been a need for about 20 years?
Maybe he was snoozing.
If he's been dealing with it for the last 10 years, why isn't it fixed?
We chased Poncho Villa too–that didn't work out too well. Heavens to Betsy, don't these Republican fools know anything about our history? This man is a moron. Isn't there one Republican candidate with an IQ over 30???
Perry Perry Perry...give it up...just bow out because we all know your not serious about immigration and now you want to send our troops down into Mexico...how many times would this make it now? Look I know some of your supporters are trying really really hard but you lost Bro...Your also finished as Texas governor too so thank god no fourth term as well...So with that being said just say good bye and go back to Texas...Two presidents from the state of Texas is enough thank you and quite honestly that's all we can afford.
Bad enough to waste law enforcement, courts and prison resources, now these clowns want to waste American troops' lives on this fools mission?
Just say no to idiocy!
Hey Rick..didn't you hear? The boat has left the dock and you're 15min are over. So pack on that gun to your fanny pack and go out for a jog and shut the hell up. YOu're only embarrassing yourself and giving Texas an even worse reputation then they already have. (and somewhat justifiable so) That good ole boy stupid texan thing is not working....we had enough of that with George Dumbo Bush.
The US has already tried sending troops into northern Mexico in an attempt to halt border violence. President Wilson sent General Pershing with ~4800 troops into Mexico and mobilized ~110,000 National Guardsmen. The project was abandoned due to Americas's entrance into WWI without resolving the issue. I have no expectation that repeating the gesture would produce better results.
A better solution to the problem is to legalize the drugs. As Andrew says, "Legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs. This takes the drugs from cartels to farmers. It gives people jobs, creates a new tax base, ... People are still going to still use drugs, this way the FDA can monitor the drugs and make it safe."
tick tick tick tick tick tick tick...
Hey Wrinck, can you say "IMPLODE?"
Perry must have concluded that it's cheaper to deploy to Mexico than any other place (except for Canada). Therefore, it's the most efficient use of our troops.
Perry is now toast.