Mitt Romney and Rick Perry go mano-a-mano over immigration

UPDATED 10:26 p.m. ET

Mitt Romney and Rick Perry went mano-a-mano Tuesday night, with the Texas governor accusing the former Massachusetts governor of being "number one" on the list of magnets that attract workers to enter the United States illegally.

"You are number one on that list, sir. And people need to understand that. You are one of the problems, Mitt," Perry said directly to Romney as he accused him of maintaining his lawn with workers who had not entered the country legally.

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The Boston Globe in 2006 reported that Romney hired a landscaping company that relied heavily on Guatemalan gardeners who were not authorized to work in the United States.

"The idea that you stand here before us and talk about that you are strong on immigration is on its face, the height of hypocrisy," Perry said.

Romney said he did not know the workers' status and promptly fired the landscaping firm when it was brought to his attention

"A year later?" Perry interrupted in an unusually testy exchange, "it's time for you to tell the truth."

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"You have a problem with allowing someone to finish speaking. And I would suggest that if you want to become president of the United States you gotta let both people speak. So let me speak," Romney fired back, adding "this has been a tough couple of debates for Rick." Perry's recent debate performaces have been widely criticized.

Perry accused Romney of playing fast and loose with the facts.

"You stood here in front of the American people and did not tell the truth about illegal immigrants," Perry said directly to Romney, who put his hand on his opponents shoulder as they shouted at each other.

"I don't think I've ever hired an illegal in my life," Romney said.

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[ihaveonethingtosay]

Perry is fact less, Rommey is condescending, personal, and him raising his voice in his manner tells a lot about a man that combats opposing views or other un-popular ideas. Wouldn't want either of them as Commander In Chief.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Illegal immigrants are just that - illegal.

I have no problem with immigrants. Illegal ones? Big problem.

I remember driving around Phoenix suburbs in the morning, and barely being able to stop at a corner in my pickup thanks to all of the illegals asking if I needed help. I've heard it's been cleaned up some.

The truth is that the EMPLOYERS should have hefty fines and jail sentences. Cut off the pay, cut off the illegals.

.

[nuttyworld]

Thank you, Arizona, for doing the job that Washington won't do.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

by Mortarman29_1SG October 18, 2011 11:26 PM EDT
Kuching...please put down the pipe.

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And.... the princess of ad-hominem attacks is back. When Mortar can't win a point, he insults and berates his fellow humans.

It's what Jesus taught him, according to him.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

by bajajohn1

No honest Latino will vote for a party of bigoted loser Republicans.

by Mortarman29_1SG
What about the party of bigoted loser Democrats?

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Mortar's debate style peaked in the third grade.

.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Thanks for proving my point, Mortar.

[andrewjsacks]

Both morons, but especially the Texan--as usual.

[tsigili]

Romney got pay back for his unfair treatment of Perry, in this round.

Let's face it......the only guy in the group who has actually had to deal with major illegal immigration issues, is Perry. It is time that Perry got credit for being in a border state, and having to deal with that issue every single day.

[bajajohn1]

The Latino community will turn out for President Obama. No honest Latino will vote for a party of bigoted loser Republicans. No one will believe the lies of the Republican candidates, who among them do not amount to one good candidate.

[diamruby]

His Mormon church has just passed laws in Utah so all the illegals can stay to work, drive, go to school etc on our tax payer dollars. Of course the Mormon church has its own best interest in mind as the illegals pay big money to belong to their club, they have even published their bible in spanish for them. The illegals are taking our jobs, keeping wages low, ruining our neighborhoods & schools, costing us billions in medical, crimes, & extra school teachers. They bring no needed skills to our country. All the farmers, landscapers, & construction companies in Idaho use nothing but illegals, they speak little or no English, get all free medical, food & education & live several families to one house which will be ruined inside & out, drive without license or insurance. It will soon be impossible to get a job in the USA unless you can speak Mexican, it is already a requirement for most of the jobs listed with government, banks, schools etc., we are giving away our country to a bunch of illegal, uneducated welfare users.

[Rodeo_Joe]

There will be a record LOW TURNOUT of Latinos for Obama.

In other words, Romney is a shoe in. Done. Put a fork in it.

Obama sold his core base off to the 1% - for their donation$.

[calif7]

Romney is Wall Streets #1 man. The Wall Street Journal has long advocated open borders as a way to keep wages down. If Romney becomes President look for a weakening of the progress that has been achieved over the last few years securing our borders.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Seriously, Mortar, the "I know you are but what am I" routine was old when you were 8 years old.