1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

Rick Perry Gets Into Immigration Scuffle With Mitt Romney And Rick Santorum At Fox/Google Debate

video
» 110 comments

Tonight’s Google/Fox News Republican 2012 presidential debate is the third such event in the past three weeks, and perhaps the testiest of the bunch. Perhaps most indicative of the comfort with which the Republican candidates are slamming each other at this point is this exchange, initially between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, and later picked up by Rick Santorum, on illegal immigration, where Perry took a strong stance in favor of educating undocumented children.

Romney first responded to a question on Texas’ measures to help illegal immigrant children pay their tuition at state schools, saying “it doesn’t make sense to me” that illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition discounts that American citizens aren’t eligible for and calling for America to “turn off the magnet of government discounts.” To that argument, Perry replied passionately that “you don’t have a heart” if you don’t feel for the children of illegal immigrants. “We have to educate these children,” he concluded.

That answer triggered Santorum’s entry into the argument, who asked Perry to explain how the program had helped Texas stop the flow of illegal immigrants in any way, and continued to attempt to interrupt Perry’s answer for more or less the entire time Perry was talking. Perry stuck to his guns, however, shaking Santorum’s pleas to explain how his policies helped Texas and instead sticking to the point that children should receive an education.

The winner of the exchange by far? Moderator Chris Wallace, who jumped in several times to stop Santorum from cutting in, and responded to Santorum’s frustration at Romney by admitting to much frustration as a moderator at all the candidates instead.

The segment via Fox News below:

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • Anonymous

    Um, the moderator isn’t supposed to be playing, let alone winning.

  • Anonymous

    They all sound like they got a little sand in their vajayjays.

  • http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

    Libertarians 33%… Mainstream 33%… Teavangelicals 33%… Good luck with that.

  • bhodie

    I’ve watched all the debates so far, and I don’t see these clowns improving at all…As a matter of fact, it is boring…they have said the same things over and over…and what is with Romney saying Thank You at the end of each question…Right now I can’t imagine any of these people in charge of our country, and poor old Perry can’t seem to remember or get what he memorized in the right order…A sad bunch of candidates, no wonder the repubs are dissatisfied with this group…….

  • Anonymous

    Teavangelicals !!!
    *drink*

  • http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

    Do you dispute the accuracy of the term or simply enjoy imbibement?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

    I like how Santorum, a guy from Pennsylvania, thinks he knows how to fix the border.  If you have ever been to South Texas you know the absurdity of building a 800 mile fence.  I feel like Perry is the only sane person on stage when it comes to immigration.  Sad.

  • http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

    Problem with the term?  

  • Anonymous

    WOW!!!

    Everyone of these Clowns are HILARIOUS!!!

    You can see how a lot of you Righties can relate to these dimwits.

    It’s a good thing that Obama is going to beat whatever one of these Idiots that gets the nomination.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ECYBIXNKAG5E46BC3GCJQPA7CQ well_its_no_cannibal_holocaust

    Parry=Lib

  • Nature Freak

    I am against open borders, but I am against kicking every single illegal immigrant out. There has to be some sort of middle ground on this issue. I support e verify but I also support some sort of Dream Act (with limitations on chain migration). A certain amount of people who are productive and law abiding should have an opportunity for citizenship or a green card. Yet, a blanket amnesty is wrong in my book. I also believe the United States has a right to protect its borders.

    Regarding Mexico and Latin America, the ideal would be some sort of Marshall plan with US and international help to increase the wages and standard of living south of the border. If things improve in Mexico and the rest of Latin America it is win win for everyone with perhaps the exception of businesses that like to exploit illegal workers.

  • Eolsen

    I think I understand english but Perry-  I really don’t know what he is talking about a lot

  • Anonymous

    Clowns, Righties, & Idiots…oh my !!!

    *drink*

  • Sean68

    “Everyone” is a singular pronoun–as well as an excellent Van Morrison song. Now you know!

  • Sean68

    What is it with these texas republican dumbshits and illegal immigration? First dubya and now this guy. They just don’t effing get it. Our country is being taken over and Perry wants to encourage it.

  • Rickperryisrightforonce

    Texas legislators support paying for college education of illegals because they’re parents work in Texas, contribute to the economy and pay state taxes. Simple economics, nativist Santorum.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

    Texas has already been “taken over” by a lot of Mexican culture and it’s doing just fine you racist POS.

  • Anonymous

    Who knew they made tea-flavored Kool Aid…

  • http://profiles.google.com/fatlibertarianinokc Fat Libertarian

    Blah blah, 

    But Rick Santorum did OWN Perry on illegal immigration.

  • Cyncicalscholar1956

    I was a Rick Perry supporter, but after tonight I am officially undecided in this GOP Primary. Mitt Romney seems to be a more polished candidate. Rick Perry was unable to articulate his ideas and I fear that with his current debating skills he will not be able to go against Obama effectively. Currently, Romney seems to be a much better conservative spokesmen.

  • Concerned Citizen

    Romney should be our next president. He has the best resume and is a proven leader and businessman who has documented results. Obama, Backman, Santorum dont.

  • NeverWrong

    Gov. Perry needs to fire his current handlers and hire someone who is familiar with and has experience to get him prepared for the National scene. He seems totally unprepared even though he obviously knows what is coming after him. Everybody in the past that became President started off slow (except for Kennedy) and got better with each debate. Perry needs to understand this or he’ll be out of the mix in another couple of weeks. He really needs to do a 180 on several of his stances, such as Immigration, Education and explain his answer for Social Security or them old folks will drop him like a cast iron frying pan left on the campfire too long.  

  • NeverWrong

    And just what the hell has your dumbass President oBUMbler done? Yeah his people like to claim he has more agents along the border but, the truth of the matter is Mexico and the border are 20-30 times worse than when Bush was in office. Your cocaine Prez won’t do anything to stop the drugs coming into our country. So stuff it bud.

  • Sharpo

    you are a poosey , yes ?

  • Anonymous

    Romney didn’t act like a proven leader tonight or any of the debates is far as I am concerned.  When I hear these candidates talk, for the exception on Cain and Paul who seems to live on a different planet, I hear the same-o same-o of the Bush administration.  If you want to elect into the same ideology that brought us the crisis then I guess one of the clowns in the debate would be your choice.   

  • Guest

    Ooo, ooo, can I play? George Soros, Obamacare, socialism, redistribution of wealth, cut the corporate tax rate, job creators… My god, if I care for my liver, I better not head on over to Fox News.

  • Anonymous

    Why are those who claim the mantle of open-mindedness and enlightenment so very intolerant, bitter and limited in their ability to express themselves without sounding like low-rent longshoreman?

  • Glutton

    Parry seems to be having a problem realizing that not all of America is like Texas.

  • Guest

    “Our country is being taken over”

    Does that sound like liberal rhetoric to you?

  • Anonymous

    It’s funny how all of our, so called, Conservative candidates call for State’s vs Federal rights in dealing with each of those States individual circumstances, yet they seem to, for political expediency, act like democrats and call Gov. Perry a democrat for governing in a head on, common sense, compassionate manner ( what works ) with the constituents ( legal or otherwise ) in his great State of Texas. 

    Something is definitely wrong with this picture.

  • Sharpo

    i would like to play too. you are a  poosey and have no balls .

  • Sharpo

    i would like to play too. you are a  poosey and have no balls .

  • Anonymous

    So you have no problem with illegals taking the seats in colleges away from American citizens and legal immigrants? It’s fine that THEY can afford to attend university in the states in which they illegally reside while American citizens and legal immigrants in adjoining states cannot? What would you say to those folks-that they’re chumps? You condemn Santorum for supporting Americans and legal residents rights to an education ahead of the NON-existent rights of illegals? Interesting to note where YOUR loyalties lie.  My husband and his family were grateful legal immigrants who worked to become proud American citizens. Your pandering comments are an insult to them.

  • Guest

    Glad to see what the opposing side has to offer. Your wisdom truly knows no bounds.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think he is that quick on his feet.  He reminds me a lot of GW.  Somewhat like the deer in the headlights.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

    I’m a Republican you idiot.

  • Sharpo

    i win . you are a poosey .

  • Anonymous

    This just shows that liberal policies work better.  Conservative policies make for good soundbites but they don’t work.  

  • Glutton

     I have to agree. 

  • Glutton

    I think Romney is still running as the front runner (in spite of the polls) and waiting for Rick Parry to slip up.  All it takes is for Sarah Palin to join the race, and Parry’s popularity just might get sliced in half.

  • Glutton

    Getting taken over by Mexican culture and getting taken over by illegal immigrants are 2 different things.  What Rick Parry did by extending in state tuition to ILLEGAL immigrants is basically giving people incentives to break the law.

  • Glutton

    $22,000 discount per year.  That’s assuming they only stay for 4 years.  I would probably take up the 5 year plan just to make it $110,000.  Who needs to jump across the border to come here illegally?  I would just apply to the University of Texas.

  • Anonymous

    You don’t come here legally by climbing over a wall.  You come here legally by breaking a treaty with Indians.

  • Glutton

    Saying Rick Parry is “soft” on illegal immigration is an understatement.  The fact is that Rick Parry is an agent for illegal immgration.  If Rick Parry had it his way, there would be no border between Texas and Mexico.  Rick Parry just got frothed by Santorum in a Google debate.  How embarassing.  

  • Anonymous

    FOX NEWS !!!
    *drink*

  • Anonymous

    Perry is toast. Debates are not his thing.

  • Anonymous

    BTW Most undocumented aliens came her legally, their visa’s have expired.

  • Anonymous

     ”frothed by Santorum in a Google debate”….Google Santorum

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    He did very poorly in part because he is simply lazy. He can’t bother to prepare. Also, he listens to no one. He is the male Half-Baked Alaskan.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    I would agree with you, Perry and Paul on this one issue. The fence is utterly absurd. And let’s remember the entire Texas border is even half as much longer.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    I would agree with you, Perry and Paul on this one issue. The fence is utterly absurd. And let’s remember the entire Texas border is even half as much longer.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    I would agree with you, Perry and Paul on this one issue. The fence is utterly absurd. And let’s remember the entire Texas border is even half as much longer.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Indeed, we Anglos were the ones taking over a culture. The great thing is, we created an entirely new one. Not Mexican. Not Norte Americano. Tex Mex, or Texican, as you prefer.

  • Anonymous

    What about the people who are citizens and were born in that state?  Their children don’t receive anything for college and they have a legal right to be there and contribute to the economy and pay state taxes. Why don’t they rate?

    The problem is treating the illegal immigrant better than the citizen….most especially with precious tax dollars in this economy.  It’s also a magnet for more illegal immigration.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Dreadful debate.

    The FOX “News” Panel: D+.

    Baier was stiff and phony, Wallace was emasculated, and Kelly, Geez girfriend, did the Half-Baked Alaskan do your make-up? How did you hold your head up under all that weight? Did some of that mascara seep into your frontal lobe? What’s with the vacuous, silly questions?

    Sound: D-.

    Set: C.

    Willard: B-.
    Dr. Ron Paul: C+.
    Johnson: C.
    Huntsmann: C-.
    Sanitarium:C-.
    The Newt:C-.
    The Godfather of Krappy Pizza: D+.
    Mad Michelle: D.
    Tollbooth: D-.

    Tollbooth was surprisingly bad. Completely frozen on the Pakistan questions, and for the first time a national audience was treated to a flash, a mere flash, of his infamous volatile and foul temper.

    Sanitarium was the most improved, but the Newt actually engaged in the questioning and answers and didn’t really just tread and scold.

    Willard was a bit wooden at times, but his main problem was Tollbooth gave him all manner of flubs. He capitalized on none of them.

  • Anonymous

    uh the texas border with mexico is over 1200 miles long and building a fence over ever yard, every foot and every inch…is impossible….not even the people on the texas side of the border would want that….and the cost would be hunderds of billions…..and with wingnuts like bachmann claimin americans should pay no taxes where would the funding come from

  • Re-Elect Obama 2012

    You mean you weren’t convinced about Rick Perry’s sincerity when he said “I don’t think you have a heart” to Romney, when Romney objected to Perry’s policy of giving free shit to illegal immigrants?

    I wasn’t either. I think Rick Perry is hands down, the biggest fraud on that stage.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks a lot 12v. I just had breakfast and now I think I need to go puke.

  • Glutton

    I thought the Godfather guy did well.  I think the winners were,

    1) Romney
    2) Cain
    3) Santorum
    4) Newt
    5) Huntsman

  • Glutton

    If you do it the legal way, you have to pay sky high international student fees and deal with the headaches of earning and maintaining your visa.

    If you do it the illegal way, you get in-state tuition in Texas.

    Why would anyone do it the legal way?

  • Glutton

    Why wasn’t I eligible for in-state tuition in Texas?  It wasn’t my fault that my parents raised me in Colorado until I was 18.  Rick Parry should offer everyone in the world in-state tuition.  No one could help were they were born and raised.  It’s unfair to punish the children.  You have no heart.  So sad.

    :(

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    My condolences!!

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Come on!! “Fox News” is a commonly used word… do you want people here to drink until they’re sh*t faced??

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Anytime “Scary Perry” gets into trouble in the Republicon debates, all he has to do is mention he presided over 230 executions in the State of Texas and the crowd will go nuts with admiration!!

  • Anonymous

    —–Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall?
    —-
    I’ve got 800 miles of open borderRight outside my
    door. There’s minute men in little pick up trucksWho’ve declared their own
    damn war.Now the government wants to buildA barrier like old Berlin 8
    feet tall. But if uncle Sam sends the illegals homeWho?s gonna build the
    wall?Who’s gonna build your wall boys?Who’s gonna mow your
    lawn?Who’s gonna cook your Mexican food When your Mexican maid is
    gone?Who’s gonna wax the floors tonightDown at the local
    mall?Who’s gonna wash your baby?s face?Who’s gonna build your
    wall?Now I ain’t got no politicsSo don’t lay that rap on me. Left
    wing, right wing, up wing, down wingI see strip malls from sea to shining
    sea.It’s the fat cat white developerWho’s created this whole damn
    squall.It’s a pyramid scheme of dirty jobsAnd who,s gonna build your
    wall?Who’s gonna build your wall boys?Who’s gonna mow your
    lawn?Who’s gonna cook your Mexican foodWhen your Mexican maid is
    gone?Who’s gonna wax the floors tonightDown at the local
    mall?Who’s gonna wash your baby?s face?Who’s gonna build your
    wall?We’ve got fundamentalist Moslem’sWe’ve got fundamentalist
    JewsWe’ve got fundamentalist ChristiansThey’ll blow the whole thing up
    for youBut as I travel around this big old worldThere’s one thing
    that I most fear. It’s a white man in a golf shirtWith a cell phone in his
    ear.Who’s gonna build your wall boys?Who’s gonna mow your
    lawn?Who’s gonna cook your Mexican foodWhen your Mexican maid is
    gone?Who’s gonna wax the floors tonightDown at the local
    mall?Who’s gonna wash your baby?s face?Who’s gonna build your
    wall?

    -Song TOM RUSSELL

  • Proud Jewish Lefty

    WOW. Rick Perry looked untouchable when he entered the race. I was sure he was going to get the republican nomination. Silly me. Look at him now. The cowboy is in deep cow shit. Pardon my language. Calling one of the governments most popular programs a ponzi scheme?  Yeah, good luck with those independent voters. IF you make it to the general. A big IF. In-state tuition for studious undocumented immigrants?  I see there’s still some Democrat in you, lol. 

  • Darladoon

    at least perry partially lives in reality

    every other person on there is completely removed from reality

  • caconservative

    He should of asked for a Obimbo-Promter.

  • caconservative

    Been there, lived there. A two layered fence is exactly what is needed to keep the illegal alien parasites out.

  • caconservative

    Your middle ground means shafting legal Americans and the legal immigrants who are abiding by the rules. There is NO middle ground! These parasites made a conscious decision to enter our House uninvited and unwelcome knowing they were breaking our laws, and are now freeloading off of us in amounts of Hundreds of Billions of dollars annually. Add to that the amount of criminal aspect and it’s not hard to see why the vast majority of Americans are fed up with these bottom-feeders and want them gone! In California, almost every cent of this states enormous annually deficit is due to illegal alien parasites.

  • caconservative

    Really?! Try telling that to the legal citizens of Texas.

  • caconservative

    Not if your buying into the illegal alien crap!

  • caconservative

    The Hispanic population of Texas in one decade increased by 90%. Do you think the majority of that increase in people, are there legally? Do you really think the legal citizens of Texas are real happy about that? There is a difference, a big difference between legal and illegal, that even the legal Hispanics of Texas are reeling against. With the added illegal alien workforce the hourly rate of pay is hovering at minimum wage and the illegal aliens are being paid less than that under the table. Uncontrolled immigration is killing this country!!

  • caconservative

    Texas Legislators are receiving huge political donations from the scumbag illegal employers! Who do you think their going to be supporting?!! For every $3 illegal alien parasites pay in taxes they use up $5 in taxpayer funded social services. In effect, we the legal taxpayers are subsidizing the illegal employers and aliens who are not contributing. It cost the United States upward of $130-Billion last year to subsidize people who are not suppose to be in this country in the first place. And now these scumbags are demanding that their illegal alien child should be able to take a seat in our elementary, high schools, and colleges?!! Stealing resources the legal citizens have worked their butts off for to educate the legal students of this country and it’s OK with you that these parasites steal those recourses?!! Are you kidding me!!

  • caconservative

    Gov.Perry need to get his head out of the illegal employer butts, and start representing legal Texas, and American citizens!!

  • caconservative

    There’s nothing in Texas that can’t be fixed by kicking Perry and his illegal alien parasites!

  • caconservative

    What the hell does that mean?!!

  • caconservative

    You are kidding, aren’t you! If not, I think you’d better look at the figures again.

  • caconservative

    Is it about heart, or about having a BRAIN!

  • caconservative

    Nor is it your fault you honor the law, sovereignty, and the sanctity of legal citizenship. Three issues the illegal alien supporters seem to avoid.

  • caconservative

    Well they should. You kill a citizen in Texas, and they kill you back! Seems only fair to me.

  • caconservative

    From the outset, his position on the illegal alien parasite issue doomed him to failure.  

  • caconservative

    What reality are you talking about?

  • Anonymous

    Go to census.gov and find it youself.

  • Bob Uda

    Rick Perry lost big-time last night.  He should use this experience to prepare himself to run on the next go-around.  Maybe he’ll do better next time.

  • caconservative

    Your relying on a census that tens of thousands of illegal alien avoided like the plague?

  • caconservative

    So we can find you and Perry in the rabbit hole? Say hi to Cheshire Cat for me!

  • caconservative

    Or, Obimbo without a telepromter.

  • ps

    agreed. a wall and boots. perry just lost my vote due to this issue.

  • ps

    ya, right!! go ahead and hold your breath and wait for obama to win again.

  • Anonymous

    What is it with you Obama haters every modern day president used a Telepromter. Would you rather he write his crib note on the palm of his hand. You obviously have not seen him in a debate.

  • Anonymous

    Proud, you may be a lefty, but as a righty myself I like your perspective.

  • Anonymous

    Hopefully not. But the his weakness on illegal immigration has probably already doomed him to defeat.

  • Anonymous

    Re-Elect, I’m constantly amazed at the people here I find myself in agreement with. You got my first and probably only “Like” on that one.

  • Anonymous

    I think Bachmann is already doing that to him.

  • Anonymous

    Cacon, unfortunately there are a lot of Republicans who still haven’t gotten a clue about the evils of illegal immigration. Either that or they’re personally profiting from it.

  • Anonymous

    No wonder your thinking’s so muddled. You’re always drinking!

  • Anonymous

    Totally idiotic song.

  • Anonymous

    Glad you liked it!

  • caconservative

    Is there a point your trying to make here? Why the hell would you post a song that is as stupid as trying to justify backing illegal alien trespassing? Is this your Liberal attempt at making Americans feel guilty about enforcing immigration law? Just who the hell do you think are the victims here? People who make a conscious decision to break into another country, invited, and unwelcome, or, the legal citizens who have to suffer economically, and at the hands of illegal alien parasite criminal scum? Get your priorities right!!

  • caconservative

    Is there a point your trying to make here? Why the hell would you post a song that is as stupid as trying to justify backing illegal alien trespassing? Is this your Liberal attempt at making Americans feel guilty about enforcing immigration law? Just who the hell do you think are the victims here? People who make a conscious decision to break into another country, invited, and unwelcome, or, the legal citizens who have to suffer economically, and at the hands of illegal alien parasite criminal scum? Get your priorities right!!

  • caconservative

    The only thing Obimbo has a chance at beating is his wife, and only if she’s drunk!

  • Anonymous

    ENJOY!

  • Anonymous

    ENJOY!

  • Anonymous

    They’re not shit faced?

  • caconservative

    Wow, you thought long and hard on that on, didn’t you?

  • Anonymous

    Looks like a list of losers to me.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Ray/549298422 Jeff Ray

    Rick Perry is obviously the only sane one when it comes to immigration.  In a time of recession like this, the last thing we need is to waste money on a huge fence.  It’s sad how America has no heart.  People who act like Romney are disgraces to America’s values.  What ever happened to the old “give me your sick and your poor” and all that good stuff that lady liberty said.  It’s just sad indeed.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Ray/549298422 Jeff Ray

    Really?? What jobs are these “criminals” taking??  Oh no, Pedro, the uneducated, undocumented, and inexperienced immigrant is going to steal my job at the accounting firm or any company that requires any schooling whatsoever.  Like that has ever happened.  Voltman’s song rocks.  Get over yourself.  I’m a republican and very conservative and I agree 100% with his song.

  • Hispanic Texan

    Im a legal hispanic from Texas and i happen to live right next to the border and i’m sorry Emperor but an Anglo can’t possibly be Tex Mex… i mean hello Tex, stands for Texan and Mex, for Mexican hence the term Tex Mex… Now where did you say you lived again :/

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram