[SoConPubbie]

Far as I can tell, none of the GOP candidates has said he's against the states taking their own measures against illegals.

Actually, Perry has.

He came out against AZ1070 and the State Police, over which he has charge, practice a de-facto form of Sanctuary policies.

On the rest of what you are saying, yes, I would agree, it would be best for the States to take the lead on this issue, with the Feds building the COMPLETE border fence.

[mylife]

Perry disagreed with the AZ bill saying that it was not the right fit for Texas.

He knew it would be challenged in court. Obama himself challenged it.
Perry took a different tack that could NOT be challenged.
He passed a law that PROHIBITED Federal,State and Local police from PREVENTING their officers from asking for proof of citizenship.

Perry’s law gives the discretion to the individual officer (empowers the individual) and precludes Federal, State and Local depts from preventing it.

[Lady Lucky]

Perry...came out against AZ1070

Didn't know that. I find it hard to focus on Perry, he seems innocuous to me, good basic conservative, pro-life, but somehow not giving it his all in this campaign. I'll have to take another look, to understand why a state governor would oppose the AZ law, the like of which would do his own state enormous good.

Incidentally, I've long been in agreement with him on the impracticality of a fence. The law is the fence. And it's full of gates. If people don't uphold the law, but let offenders pass through, they're opening gates, and they're not going to do anything differently with a physical fence, which also has gates. A fence is a pointless, expensive showpiece.