Posted on 08/20/2011 1:32:05 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
ROCK HILL, SC -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) spoke for a few minutes to reporters here about his views on immigration, which have gotten him into some hot water with the conservative base he hopes to woo as his presidential campaign spools up. What he offered up was a little something for everyone.
Perry said states should be responsible for their own immigration laws, also stating that the federal government must step up border enforcement. He also spelled out his support for a national program that would allow illegal immigrants who serve in the military to become citizens.
Illegal immigration is, of course, a core issue among conservatives, who continue to reject any plan that allows existing illegal immigrants to become citizens as part of comprehensive immigration reform. In Texas, Perry has taken a number of positions on the issue at the state level that have ruffled feathers on the national anti-illegal immigrant right -- including advocating for and signing a Texas version of the DREAM Act.
He opposes the national DREAM Act debated in the last Congress.
But in South Carolina Saturday, he said he supported a main tenet of that bill -- that illegal immigrants can earn their citizenship by serving honorably in the military.
"I think there is a path to citizenship for those young men and women who have served their country," Perry said in response to a question from NachoFiesta blogger Sean Quinn. "That is a very unique set of individuals, and different than folks who have come here illegally and not given back in that particular way."
But on other controversial immigration laws, Perry said the states should be able to do what they wish.
"I am a big believer in the 10th Amendment," Perry said. He said "state by state, they need to make those decisions" about charging illegal immigrants in-state college tuition prices (as Perry has advocated in Texas) or passing laws like Arizona's SB 1070.
"I happen to believe with all my heart that the states would be best served by being able to be free to make these decisions themselves," Perry said. "I didn't think that for the state of Texas and Arizona-exact law was right for the state of Texas. I didn't want to make our law enforcement officers federal immigration officers. So, state by state ought to be the way to do that, not by the federal government making one size fits all."
But Perry said the federal government needs to lead the way in some areas of immigration, such as a national reform package.
"Once we secure the border, we can have a conversation about immigration reform in this country, but not until," he said. "You must have the federal government putting the resources, the boots on the ground, the aviation assets in the air, and secure that border so that we know that the border is secure before we have a conversation about any immigration reform."
Chew on that Obummer.
A sign outside a business in West Tisbury, Mass., welcomed the Obamas to Marthas Vineyard for their 10 day stay.
>>>Texas Gov. Rick Perry has picked up two important endorsements in South Carolina for his 2012 presidential campaign.
Longtime state legislator David Wilkins, who played a big role in George W. Bushs White House races, says hes signing onto Perrys bid. And Harvey Peeler, majority leader in the state Senate, is jumping on the Perry bandwagon, too.
Wilkins, who rose to House speaker before Bush named him ambassador to Canada, and Peeler are the most notable backers to announce their support for a candidate in early primary-voting South Carolina.
Both endorsements came even though U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of encouraged fellow leading Republicans in South Carolina to hold off for now on making endorsements.<<<
http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2011/08/rick-perry-picks-up-key-s-c-endorsements/
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>>>>>Rick Perry picks up big endorsement in South Carolina>>>>COLUMBIA, S.C. Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry stayed on script during two appearances in Florence Friday morning, attacking President Barack Obama on job creation while touting his own record for job creation as governor of Texas.
In doing so, Perry, governor of Texas, picked up a key endorsement from Florence physician Eddie Floyd, one of the states most influential Republican fundraisers. Floyd introduced Perry at Carolinas Hospital Systems as the next president of the United States.
......About 500 people crowded into Bazens Family Restuarant for Perrys appearance in Florence.
Another 300 had to wait outside because of fire safety rules. <<<...........
A debatable point. However, how is it even possible for illegal aliens to serve in the US military?
Sounds like Perry wants to use the 10th amendment to give him cover for amnesty and other goodies for illegals. He just went down considerably in my estimation.
A debatable point. However, how is it even possible for illegal aliens to serve in the US military?
Well, Perry isn't Commander in Chief so.....the FEDERAL government???
What other "goodies?"
What the hell are illegal aliens doing in the U.S. military? What Social Security number are they using? Somebody needs to go to jail.
Exactly, it is a slippery and dangerous slope, allowing those people into the military, that are not citizens in the first place. We are on the path to having a mercenary army folks.
But in South Carolina Saturday, he said he supported a main tenet of that bill -- that illegal immigrants can earn their citizenship by serving honorably in the military
There is no indication in the article the illegals are serving, just that serving in the military would be a path to citizenship for them. I am not sure if I support that or not, but certainly its a far cry from amnesty.
Exactly! Some heads need to roll on that issue alone.
They are being allowed to serve. Perhaps someone with more information on how that’s done could enlighten us.
This was a provision of the Dream Act...Harry Reid's Dream Act. But RINO Rick has a Dream Act of his own so he apparently thinks it's okay. Given that he is pro-ILLEGAL alien...why wouldn't he?
“Longtime state legislator David Wilkins, who played a big role in George W. Bushs White House races, says hes signing onto Perrys bid. And Harvey Peeler, majority leader in the state Senate, is jumping on the Perry bandwagon, too.”
“picked up a key endorsement from Florence physician Eddie Floyd, one of the states most influential Republican fundraisers. “
///
but...i thought he was “not all all like Bush” ?
picking up endorsements from career Bush politicians, establisment entrenched Republicans.
...not Tea Party!!!
not the people who want the goverment REFORMED.
who want spending CUT.
and people like DeMint, Palin, Michelle Malkin, Mark Levine, are also NOT endorsing him.
Is it that we’ve got more military jobs than Americans to fill them?
No, I didn’t think so.
Doing jobs Americans won’t do?
I don’t believe recruiters can recruit illegals. So....
Smacks of England using Hessians during the Revolution.
Illegal aliens should not be in the military. Period. End of story. They should be expelled when found out. From the military and the country.
More support for ILLEGAL aliens from RINO Rick.
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