Rick Perry called up controversial Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio this weekend, reports the Houston Chronicle:
Gov. Rick Perry phoned Maricopa County, Ariz. Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Saturday, apparently hoping to win the nationally-known immigration law enforcer’s endorsement for President, Arpaio said today.
“He called me. First time I talked to him,” Arpaio said of the conversation. …
Perry said last year that he didn’t think Arizona’s style of illegal immigration enforcement was the right move for Texas, but Arpaio said the Texas executive didn’t just call to talk shop.
“I think he’d like to get my endorsement,” Arpaio said. “I’ve taken some heat from the Justice Department, but I’m elected and I’m doing my job. I’m one guy who knows where the Mexican border is.”
Arpaio also said he’s been in touch with Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann, and the Chronicle characterizes his account of his relationship with Romney as “good.”
My preferred candidate for MO2, Ed Martin, was endorsed by Sheriff Arpaio in the 2010 race (see link):
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Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"sherrif Joe Arpaio"
Ugh. This is NRO?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI know Arpaio gets a lot of credit for talking a good game, but I don't think a conservative can in good conscience be too admiring of him. I'm about as far from a bleeding-heart as it's possible to be, but it's hard to escape the conclusion that Arpaio is basically a police-state maniac.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNope. Sheriff Joe is simply a no nonsense full blooded American. He's a 19th century John Wayne / Gary Cooper western town sheriff - just for a modern city of 3 million people. If you don't live here you may not get that, but that's the way it is.
The folks throwing brickbats at him continually in the press and in legal fights are all complete rogues, to a man. He has their number and does not suffer fools.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don't think the great Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be fooled by Perry's phony talking points on illegal immigration. Unlike Perry, Arpaio has a strong record of protecting citizens and taxpayers against illegal immigration -- while Perry proudly signed the misnamed "Dream Act" and still supports "guest worker" amnesty.
It's obvious that slick Rick just wants to use Arpaio for political cover on this issue.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat is so "contoversial" about Arpaio (aside from the humorous pink underwear and that he's an elected official who likes publicity)?
Substantively, there is nothing "controversial" about the fact that Arpaio is actually listening to his constituents and is enforcing our current immigration laws and upholding the rule-of-law.
Never has there been an issue like illegal immigration where the so-called "elites" are so far out of touch with mainstream America.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCount me among the anti-Arpaio crowd. If you do any reading on the subject, the man is a little tyrant looking for a larger stage. He uses his office to harass and intimidate those who disagree with him. He demonstrates contempt for civil rights.
If the GOP wants to be the small-government party, reining in petty tyrants like Apraio is just as important as shrinking an out-of-control federal state.
Do some reading on Reason.com. I don't think you have to be a libertarian to recognized corruption and abuse of office.
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