David Gregory: “Would you deport illegal immigrants in the country right now?”
Herman Cain: “Here is my approach to illegal immigration. Here again, this is what’s resonating with the people. How I would solve the problem. It’s not as simple as, would you deport. We must secure the border. It would be a combination of a physical fence, technology and in some areas we might have to put troops there. We must secure the border. Secondly we must promote the path to citizenship that’s already there. We need to clean up the bureaucracy. Third enforce the laws that are already there. The way you do that is number four, which is a bold idea – empower the states to do what the federal government can’t do and won’t do as far as dealing with illegals that are in the United States today.”
[snip]
Gregory: “Why you and not Mitt Romney?”
”Why me and not Mitt Romney? Mitt Romney is a great businessman. I have a lot of respect for him. He has been more of a Wall Street executive. I have been more of a Main Street executive.”
Meet the Press – October 16, 2011 Aprox 25 minute video
I did hear him talk about an electric fence. I don't believe he was joking. He may say so now, but he hit it on the head. An electrified barrier would be just fine.