A very good post. I agree with the states having the right to do with what they want. I am not mad about Perry doing anything he wants to in the state. However, once you are President you have a lot of influence to ensure something happens in the entire country. What he believes in Texas he will believe for the country. That is my only probably with him. You can absolutely tell that he is passionate about the illegal families that are in Texas because he notices how hard they work and he has a soft spot for them in his heart. We have them here they stand outside the local carpenter store and people use them all the time for various tasks on their house. You know it is very tempting to use them because they do a good job and they are cheap. For example, I got some work done on the house that cost me 4,000 dollars to get it done by a professional company but I could have gone to get a few guys standing by for work and got the job done for around 1200 (TOPS) but it just isn’t right. I believe that when Perry was working the fields and other jobs that he was doing when he was younger, he watched how hard the illegals worked and was impressed. Although he can feel that way and have this tug of the heart, but he cannot do that as President. It just would not be a good idea at all.
What you may have is, Bush-Burnout! LOL And I can appreciate it too. I think changing a President Perry's mind on a full border fence is an obstacle conservatives in Congress can overcome. Perry told Hannity last week that in-state tuition is not something for the entire country, its a state by state decision. And right now there are 13(?) states that have a form of in-state tuition for illegals. The toughest law exists in Texas. Remember too, Perry is a huge supporter of the 10th amendment and its call for federalism. I believe Perry would be open to applying federalism just the way Reagan envisioned it. So yes, I think Perry would be aggressive in securing the border. Its the Feds job. Remember too. Perry opposed the Arizona immigration law, called it not right for Texas. But he allowed his AG to join the group that sued the Feds to allow implementation.
You said, "We are still so early in this........". Maybe later then you think. Romney has the GOP establishment support and the fact he's next in line to become the nominee. Contrary to what some believe, Perry is not the establishment candidate. Outside of Texas anyway.
I really appreciated seeing the deep and honest comments in your post here. You probably described the twisting and turning feelings many of us have with this. We all want to protect America and none of us want illegal immigration gone amuck, but sometimes it’s hard to know the difference between an undocumented worker and the friend next door we grew up with and who was the best man at our wedding. Sometimes... oddly enough and unbeknown to us even sometimes... they are one and the same.
You do make a good point about Perry needing to see America differently than he sees Texas. That is a very good point. Thanks for sharing.