Bachmann Focuses on Border, Immigration Issues
Michelle Bachmann added her voice to U.S.-Mexico border issues in Arizona Monday, saying the state has been forced to take action because of failure by the government.
Bachmann took the opportunity to praise Arizona officials for their efforts to increase border security in order to combat illegal immigration.
The Minnesota congresswoman commended the Senate President Russell Pearce and Gov. Jan Brewer who respectively sponsored and signed one of the toughest immigration enforcement laws in the country.
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Bachmann said during a news conference, after meeting with several supporters of get-tough border and immigration polices: "I can't speak highly enough for Arizona. I can't speak highly enough how they have faced the failure of the federal government," according to AP.
Another candidate, who was scheduled to campaign in Arizona on Monday, was the Republican presidential nominee, Herman Cain, who had suggested an electrified border fence between the United States and Mexico.
"When I'm in charge of the fence, we going to have a fence. It's going to be 20 feet high. It's going to have barbed wire on the top. It's going to be electrocuted, electrified," Cain said at Tennessee rally on Saturday, according to CNN. "And there's going to be a sign on the other side that says it will kill you."
On Sunday, however, the candidate clarified that the idea was just a joke on NBC’s “Meet the Press”: “That’s a joke. I’ve also said America needs to get a sense of humor. That was a joke, OK.”
But on Monday Bachmann stressed, “That was a joke and this is no laughing matter,” according to AP.
In the summer, Bachmann went to Phoenix seeking for endorsement from Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America. At that time, she focused on immigration issues when talking to reporters.
Bachmann has signed a pledged in Iowa to pursue a fence along the entire length of the border with Mexico and highlighted how important it is to complete it in “every portion.”
Arizona’s presidential primary will be held Feb. 28, 2012.
