[snip]
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 think Cain is right on!
He wants to focus on securing the border. Then if, like he says, we “enforce the laws that are already there”, i.e. absolutely no hiring of illegals, no school for illegals, no welfare for illegals.... then we won’t have to deport them, they will just go home on their own.
I just don’t see a whole lot of difference between Cain’s statement and that of Perry. Cain has never had to walk the walk.
Cain is getting a taste of what it feels like to be leading in the polls - definite target and intense scrutiny of every word. Unlike Gov. Perry - who has experience in campaigning - Cain will not be able to outlast the scrutiny. Cracks are already beginning to form.
Today, I saw a clip on TV of an op-ed Cain did a year ago where he opined that a national sales tax was a bad idea.