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It is a tongue-in-cheek statement, hyperbole, that emphasizes that he believes in strong border security. When he says it in a speech, it kills.

He serious position on border security is that it is the federal responsibility and that the border must be physically secured with many different means to meet the challenges of various terrains.

Marie, you might have just figured it out. By making statements like this, he is almost assured of being asked about it during the next debate! It makes sure that he gets some air time! Then he can present his real views! :)

Secure the border with more boots on the ground
I do believe we can secure the border with a combination of boots on the ground, technology, and a fence, but we’ve got three other problems. And to get to it, we’ve got to secure the border.

Secondly, let’s promote the path to citizenship that’s already there. We don’t need a new one, we just need to clean up the bureaucracy that’s slowing the process down and discouraging people.

The third thing we need to do, enforce the laws that are there, and the way we do it, empower the states. I believe that the people closest to the problem are the best ones to be able to solve that problem. Empower the states to do what the federal government hasn’t done, can’t do, and won’t do. This is how we solve the entire problem.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library , Sep 7, 2011

We have a path to citizenship: it’s called legal immigration
Q: When Pres. Obama joked about protecting the borders with alligators and a moat, not only did you embrace the idea, you upped the ante with “a 20-foot barbed wire electrified fence.” Were you serious?

A: America has got to learn how to take a joke. But allow me to give you my real solution to the immigration problem. I happen to believe that is four problems.

Yes, we must secure the border with whatever means necessary.
Enforce the laws that are there.
Promote the path to citizenship that’s already there. We have a path to citizenship for illegal aliens. It’s called legal immigration.
And then, I happen to agree with empowering the states and allow them to deal with that issue. If we work on the right problem, we will be able to solve it.

And in the case of immigration, we’ve got four problems that we need to work on simultaneously. We can have high fences and wide open doors, all at the same time.
Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa , Aug 11, 2011

Not right to sue Arizona for trying to protect themselves
I want to share with you my three guiding principles so you know what type of leader I will be. Three of my guiding principles that have guided my life; guided the decisions I made when I was running companies; and guided my family.

Guiding principle #1: Do the right thing. It was not right to sue the state of Arizona when they were simply trying to protect themselves. You will always be able to count on Herman Cain to do what is right.
Guiding principle #2: We have got to lead this nation from an entitlement society to an empowerment society, by getting government out of the way. We’ve got to empower states to do what states do best: to solve the people’s problems at the state level. Empowerment, not entitlement
Guiding principle #3: It’s not about us. We have to defend the life of the unborn. We must defend those principles that this nation was founded upon.

Source: 2011 Faith and Freedom Conference , Jun 4, 2011

Secure our borders; enforce our laws
Americans have embraced their role as the world’s premier “melting pot,” welcoming immigrants from every corner of the planet. We readily learn about other cultures, customs and beliefs. We appreciate those who are willing to come to this country and mak America a more vibrant and enriched place.

Americans do resent, however, the willingness of some to circumvent our laws and enter our nation illegally. While many, if not most, illegal immigrants are peaceful people simply seeking to provide for their families, some are not. In fact, some are quite dangerous, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of American citizens.

Illegal immigration also puts a tremendous strain on America’s entitlement and health care systems. In fact, several hospitals in the U.S. have declared bankruptcy as a result of the costs of caring for illegal immigrants.

We must secure our borders, enforce our laws and promote the existing path to citizenship.ÿ
Source: Campaign website, www.hermancain.com/ “Issues” , May 21, 2011

Where’s the fence? Not in the Immigration Bill!
The Comprehensive Immigration Bill debated in the Senate last week was dead on arrival. Most regular folks kept screaming, “Where’s the fence?”

The Immigration Bill was supposed to be good compromise legislation. It is just bad legislation with different agendas glued together, while not emphasizing enough of the public’s number one priority - the fence! Not just wire, wood and concrete, but all the technologies we have available to stop the rampant inflow of illegal aliens into this country.
Source: Political column, THE New Voice, “Immigration Bill” , Jun 11, 2007