Herman Cain says his call for 20 foot electrified border fence was a joke

Herman Cain

Presidential contender Herman Cain was joking when he promised his administration would build a 20 foot electrified fence on the border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.

At a pair of campaign stops in Tennessee on Saturday, Cain said the United States has an immigration crisis and he would be willing to put U.S. troops on the border in addition to the barbed-wire fence with a sign that says "it will kill you -- warning," the New York Times reported.

Asked about the comments Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, Cain said he was joking.

"That's not a serious plan," Cain told host David Gregory, "that's a joke. I've also said America needs to get a sense of humor. That was a joke, OK?"

The former CEO of Godfather's Pizza said he would "secure the border" with a host of measures, including troops.

"It'd be a combination of a physical fence, technology, and, in some terrible areas, we might have to put troops there. We must secure the border," he said on NBC.

"Secondly, we must promote the path to citizenship that's already there. We need to clean up the bureaucracy, Third, enforce the laws that are already there," he added.

"The way you do that is, is number four, which is a bold idea. Empower the states to do what the federal government can't do and won't do as far as dealing with the illegals that are in the United States today," Cain said, without explaining how the states could be empowered.

[vet45124]

Cain+Rev.Sharpton= Jesse Jackson!

[iamproteus]

This is no time for jokes. We are in a very serious situation that requires some serious thought and action. I have heard nothing from Cain that makes any sense. You people who are backing him need to look a bit more closely at the ramifications of his proposals. I remain confident that there are more sensible people who will vote this clown out of the running but the rest of you still scare me.

[justaBill2]

Why is it a joke?

[italianro]

Herman Cain's plan of 9-9-9 will ruin this country. Sales taxes will be added to all food, medicine and alcoholic beverages. We can not afford in this unstable economy to have our taxes raised. This is the main point congress is trying to put to the President right now. Herman Cain to me is Obama in sheep's clothing. I am thankful I know now by Fox News this information. Herman Cain has never held an office worthy of the Presidency. Herman Cain wants to ruin America and the American Dream. My fellow friends this is not a time to get giddy about a candidate who does not care about the American people one bit. Herman Cain is out to ruin America. The pizza plan as I like to call it is not a sustainable plan. It is highly toxic if passed in congress. We wouldn't be able to afford the necessities we need. Senior Citizens which I care deeply about would not be able to get the medication they need to survive. Health Care cost "you think their bad now" if elected to the Presidency those cost under Herman Cain's plan would sky rocket. Herman Cain is not a leader for the American people. He is out to destroy the American people.

[iamproteus]

Dan1523, obviously it would be a waste of time to try to reason with you so I will simply say this: you're either an idiot or provocateur nither of which I have time for.

[JV1970]

italianro I don't know what planet you live on but here on earth we ALREADY pay sales tax on all our food! In fact we pay sales tax on just about everything except medicine!

[miami_don]

A joke telling a joke. Pretty esoteric ,if you are part of his Oreo Campaign Organization ....no wait; that was Godfather's.

[Progress4USA]

"That's not a serious plan," Cain told host David Gregory, "that's a joke. I've also said America needs to get a sense of humor. That was a joke, OK?"
-----

Your campaign is a joke!!! Ok????

[doneinone]

Rassmusen Just out.....
Cain 43%
Obama 41%
Cain is a straight shooter. He says what he thinks. He does need people telling him what to say, not politically correct which is refreshing. Another 2 weeks his numbers will be better than Romney's when it comes to beating Obama.

[doneinone]

I stand corrected.....Cain is the only GOP contender beating Obama right now. He's already there.
Obama 43%
Romney 41%

[USA_is_back_]

Rassmussen is full of it.
Last week a generic GOP canidate would have beat Obama.
Cain is the man!
He'll have my vote and full support if he wins the nomination and is elected.
He will be the the "true" First Black President.
Obama being half white never fit that title.

[Kaituk]

Herman Cain is the joke here. There is a maxim which says that true things are often said in jest. This circus for choosing a GOP candidate for the presidency is full of court jesters in which the one serious person, Jon Huntsman, is essentially being discarded. As an independent progressive voter, with no party affiliation, it is important for me to listen and learn about these people who are seeking power and control of our nation. There is none with whom I am in complete agreement, especially based upon their dogma and views, but so many of these guys make is very easy for me to separate the kooks from the serious contender. Thanks to Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann for making this task so easy. Keep up the bad work, guys!!!

[iamproteus]

While I am not particularly impressed with Huntsman, I agree that he is far superior to any of the others you mention.

[LisaMW621]

Just like it was a joke with Bachmann about God being angry at Washington and sending the earthquake and tornadoes to let us know about his ire.

[LisaMW621]

And let's not forget McCain, singing the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" spoof song in the last campaign: "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran"

[sickofphoneytuff]

If god can talk to Michelle Bachman why does he need a tornado to talk to the east coast. Now that's funny!

[nearl451]

It is amazing to me, just because the economy is bad, how far some seem willing to devolve society.

Cain: "I was just joking about electricuting Mexicans, but it's great speort just to send troops and shoot them on sight....epsecially the women and children....can't have those awful anchor babies contributing to our society."

[JV1970]

That is NOT what Cain said and you know it! In fact he didn't say anything like that!

[doneinone]

didn't Obama say something about building a moat and putting alligators in it?