March 29, 2009 10:27 AM

Obama Considering Sending U.S. Troops To Mexican Border

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
In The News
(CBS)
Though he does not believe violence along the U.S. Mexico border poses an "existential threat" to Americans, President Obama says he is considering deploying U.S. troops to the border area.

"Obviously there have been calls to increase National Guard troops on the borders," Mr. Obama noted in an interview with Bob Schieffer on CBS News' Face the Nation Sunday.

"That's something that we are considering," he said. "But we wanna first see whether some of the steps that we've taken can help quell some of the violence."

The president said it is essential to continue consulting with the Mexican government.

Mr. Obama also echoed the perspective of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying, "We've gotta reduce demand for drugs. We've got to do our part in reducing the flow of cash and guns south.

"This is a two-way street," he said.

The president said violence along the border poses a serious threat to border communities and has "gotten out of hand." Schieffer asked if he would consider asking Congress to alter the assault weapon ban in order to combat the number of guns coming across the border into Mexico.

"I think the main thing we need is better enforcement," the president said. "And so this week we put forward a comprehensive initiative to assist those border regions that are being threatened by these drug cartel to provide assistance to the Mexican government to make sure that on our side of the border we've got more personnel, more surveillance equipment."

The president compared Mexican President Calderon's fight against drug cartels to Elliot Ness' decision to go after Chicago crime boss Al Capone during Prohibition.

"Oftentimes that causes even more violence," he said of such efforts. "And we're seeing that flare up."


More from Face The Nation (3.29.09):
  • Obama To Bankers: Show Restraint
  • Obama: U.S. Automakers "Not Quite There Yet"
  • Obama: No Ground Troops Needed In Pakistan
  • "I've Strained Some Friendships"
  • Complete Transcript Of Bob Schieffer's Interview

    To watch President Obama discuss the war in Afghanistan and the alarming increase in violence along the U.S.-Mexican border click on the video player below.


    • Add a Comment
    by darknessesedge April 23, 2009 1:23 AM EDT
    how about a wall and troops?
    Reply to this comment
    by tjkping April 12, 2009 10:53 AM EDT
    set up troops along the mexican border and protect our side.then send mexico all their citizens back.[they're here illegally].let them help mexico solve their problems.
    Reply to this comment
    by Todkaninchen April 2, 2009 7:34 PM EDT
    Wow, StevenGordon18, you want a civil war in the United States.

    Essentially, you have a recipe that many states--including some who already have legislation calling for secession in the event of the Federal Government "overturning" the 2nd Amendment and/or the Bill of Rights--are going to interpret as the Federal Government as having "lost its mind."

    That's ignoring the people in the population who see your suggestions as the same thing.

    There's a reason the old Assault Ban was weak, a new one would be political suicide for whoever voted for it, there has been a continuous run on guns and ammunition at stores in the middle of a recession, and the prevalence of "shall issue" concealed carry states. The reason is that many people--possibly a majority--do not feel the way you do. They may not have liked the Republican alternative for other reasons, but they will make trouble--by voting (hopefully) or other means if necessary.

    The more liberal Democrats--at some level--realize this and that's why the fear in Pelosi when Holder brought up the ban. That's why most of the recent gun control bills end up in committee until the end of the session. They get to play "anti-gun" for that vocal constituency that actually still trusts the government, but don't have to reap the consequences of pissing off those people who only care about the government--as much as possible--leaving them alone.

    That's why the same old thing keeps getting done and why--probably for a while at least--it will continue being done.

    (About the only way to get real change is something many of you would probably consider leaving the country rather than doing.)

    Good luck, eh?
    Reply to this comment
    by froggy57 March 31, 2009 6:15 PM EDT
    ((Why is it so easy for common citizens to see what to do and our national leaders have no clue.))

    **The feds know. The cops know. The politicians know.The reap problem is that voters are idiots. Most voters are soccer moms and jc members who are so brainwashed about m/j it is pathetic.

    ((10 years in prison--for anyone who sells an assault weapon.))
    **Geez, guy.. chill out. Our jails are already full. Don't let smugglers and their idiocy take away our right to bear arms.
    Reply to this comment
    by leopard_colony March 30, 2009 8:25 PM EDT
    The president is getting outdated information. The LA Times documents the cartels getting weapons from South America. That makes more sense as in the US they can only get castrated copies (no automatic fire) of real assault rifles (automatic fire, aka machine gun). Here's a link to the article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-arms-race15-2009mar15,0,229992.story
    Reply to this comment
    by leopard_colony March 30, 2009 8:43 AM EDT
    All modern assault rifles, like an AK-47, are capable of automatic fire just like a machine gun. Those weapons are banned except for police, military, and a very, very, few collectors. So no need for a new "assault weapon ban". We are only allowed castrated copies, with no automatic fire. They just look dangerous.
    Reply to this comment
    by Charlie_simpson March 29, 2009 8:10 PM EDT
    Mr. Gordon:

    I'm confused on a few things, perhaps you can clarify them for me. Assault weapons are just semi-automatic rifles with some cosmetics slapped on them. Are you saying we should ban all semi-auto rifles, including my shotgun and dear rifle? Machine guns are highly restricted and require an in-depth background check and an expensive license; there are a very few owned outside of law enforcement and the military. Aren't they in effect banned? I thought the same thing was true with grenade launchers. I don't think I've ever heard of one being used in a domestic crime because they are outlawed; am I wrong?
    Reply to this comment
    by StevenGordon18 March 29, 2009 4:39 PM EDT
    IT'S TIME TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS
    In response to your comment about my positions on assault weapons.

    In almost every case of mass murder assault weapons are used. The police officers in Oakland the other day were killed with an AK-47.
    I have no problem with the second amendment but I do not believe assault rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers should be included under the "right to bear arms".
    We need a safer society. The only way to get there is to limit what weapons are sold and try to reduce the number of assault weapons on the street.
    Steve Gordon St. Petersburg, Florida
    Reply to this comment
    by Kurt_Hofmann March 29, 2009 3:06 PM EDT
    Mr. Gordon, I'm more than a little puzzled to see you point out the folly of prohibition (on that, I fully agree with you), and yet in the same comment, forcefully advocate what else but . . . prohibition--of so-called "assault weapons," which are used in fewer killings than fists and feet.

    Surely you can see the obvious disconnect there.
    Reply to this comment
    by StevenGordon18 March 29, 2009 11:57 AM EDT
    I watched the interview with President Obama on Face the Nation this morning. I am extremely disappointed with his comments on Mexico.

    Why doesn't he understand that we the U.S. have caused most of the problem.

    He needs to stand up and have the strength to lead the U.S. out of this mess. Why is it so easy for common citizens to see what to do and our national leaders have no clue.

    President Obama please do the right thing:
    1. Get Congress to pass a permanent ban on selling all types of assault weapons.
    2. Pass legislation that says people caught with an AK-47 will get a minimum of 3 years in Federal Prison.
    3. Have a 90 day Federal amnesty -and buy back assault weapons for $1,000 a weapon.
    4.. Make it a federal crime --min. 10 years in prison--for anyone who sells an assault weapon.
    5. Send in the national guard and militarize our border in areas affected.
    6. Start a national law enforcement task force to hunt down and arrest the Mexican drug cartels operating in U.S. cities.

    This would be a start.
    Then you need to legalize marijuana and take the profit away from the drug dealers. It should be controlled just like alcohol. We are never going to get control of the problem until we legalize it and regulate it. Did prohibition work??

    Why can't we make bold decisions to correct these problems. Why can't the American government study the Netherlands? Drugs and prostitution are legal and they do not have a crime problem. Take away the profit from the drug dealers and the pimps and ban assault weapons and are national crime rate will decrease at such a rate it will shock everyone. Free the police agency's to focus on REAL crime.

    THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS NEEDS TO STOP DOING THE SAME OLD THING---IT'S NOT WORKING!!!

    Let's demand that members of Congress reinstate the ban on assault weapons and deal head-on with the crisis in Mexico.
    Reply to this comment
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