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."
Attention Rick Perry, you just lost my vote.
Maybe a better approach would be to legalize some of these drugs.
Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!
It aught to mean SOMETHING.
Less Government; less interference.
Well, a war with Mexico would at least be far closer (and therefore far less expensive), than wars halfway around the world in the Middle East!!
Does perry want to do this with Mexico's approval?. Or just based on: "We're GOD of the World! Do what we say!!"
Is this going to be another UNFUNDED WAR?? On Mexico?? With Mexico?? Details, perry??
Nah, details ain't fur repugs. (See Cain's 999, for laughs)
Talk, talk talk. Why doesnt Perry say that his GOP party turned down $500 million req by Obama for addl funds to go towards more troops at the border.
What a Fascist!!
Texan here, who doesn't agree with Rick Perry on alot of issues.....but this one I believe he has right......
I am all for protecting our borders but:
Sending our military to Mexico scares me for 2 reasons.
1. If USA starts fighting the Mexican Cartel, I feel the war would eventually spill across our borders.
2. Another war. More money. More cuts to the middle class and poor.
seriously who does this gay I mean guy think he is. Wait I know he is a professional Flip-fopper how could we ever trust a man like this, Bush/Gore/Clinton all wrapped into one, just a sick mixture.
Naturally. Afghanistan and Iraq are not enough. We have to start another war with our next door neighbor. Gotta love the GOP warmongers.
That's great news!!! He will revive Reagan's Anti-Drug Campaign.
So after ten years, you really have no solutions do you Mr. Perry.
If the situation arises = when a U.S. citizen dies on Mexican soil because of drug wars.
That's all we need...
Let Mexico deal with their own problems...
"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.
Why isn't it secure then Gov.? You've had 10 years and you've got the courage...
This guy is an idiot.
That is wrong headed.
We should never send troops into a sovereign nation unless it is a declaration of war or its with a diplomatic writ of cooperation.
When will we get a President that follows civil order (Rule of Law) and a respects for the sovereignty of other nations that are not at war with us?
Rick Perry idea of sending US troops in to Mexico is stupid. Where is this clowns plan to turn America in to Texas? I want a good laugh. CNN on your next Tea Party debate as these fools how they plan on dealing with the European Debt Crisis that affecting the US markets?
Maybe start by eliminating the flow of weapons south of the border.Nah...that would be taking money out of the pockets of those who seem to control of all things evil. Heaven forbid !!!!
As long as there is a toll road attached to it right there Ricky... but it must be a foriegn country that runs it. Rick just like what you purposed in Texas? Jobs for Texas but not for Texans!
I think the Governor is up for another war. I need to hear what he has on the economy situation.
it makes sense-mexico has oil that we need.mexicans want to come to america.so,let us unite with mexico.
Oh yes, as if sending our sons and daughters to die for a bunch of goat herders wasn't petty enough, lets have them meddle in the affairs of a rapidly declining civilization heading for feudal times, again. Just lock up shop on the border and let those bean eaters sort it out for themselves.
Perry is an idiot! Mexico has their own Army and it is their problem, not ours. . . .
If Perry is self-absorbed in this problem and he feels compelled to do "something", then I have a better idea: we can send Perry to Mexico to fight the drug cartels!!!
"I’m the only one that’s been dealing with it for the last 10 years, and I know how to secure that border,".... So does that mean he has failed the last 10 years since the border still isn't secure?
There ya go folks...another republican supporting the Military Industrial Complex by sending our young warriors into yet another country. Lets see...with roughly 30 million Mexican Nations in the US, sounds like we might just lose the fight....The "War on Drugs" has been on going for nearly 40 yrs an now Perry wants to invade Mexico under the disguise of "helping" the Mexican military.....BS.