Obama Calls Meeting With Perry "Constructive"
story updated 2:00 a.m.
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - After all the back and forth criticism between Governor Perry and The White House, the Governor got what he wanted Wednesday: a one on one meeting with President Obama.
They spoke face to face about border security aboard Marine One on their way from DFW International Airport to Dallas Love Field.
Afterwards, the President called the meeting with Governor Perry constructive, and said he and the Governor aren't far apart at all. "There's nothing that the Governor indicated he'd like to see that I have a philosophical objection to."
The Governor says he asked the President for an additional 1,000 national guard troops along the border.
Since October 1st, about 52,000 unaccompanied children from Central America illegally crossed the U.S. border, which has overwhelmed the border security system.
The Governor says he asked the President to send a clear message to Central American families.
President Obama said, "While we intend to do the right thing by these children, their parents need to know this is a dangerous situation and it is unlikely that their children will be able to stay."
Republicans have claimed the President's policies have given parents in Central America the idea that if they send their children to the U.S. border, they'll be allowed to remain here.
The White House blames human smugglers in Central America for lying to people.
Despite their meeting, Governor Perry still called on President Obama to visit the Texas border, and he reminded the public that he first warned the President two years ago, they were starting to see unaccompanied minors from Central America showing up at the border.
Hours after their meeting, Governor Perry appeared on Sean Hannity's television program Wednesday night, and criticized the President. "A leader acts, and what I haven't seen out of this president are actions that makes me think he understands what's going on."
For his part, President Obama says he hopes Governor Perry will talk to the Texas Republican Congressional delegation and pressure them to pass his proposal for nearly $4 billion in emergency funding to shore up the border. "If the Texas delegation is prepared to move, this thing can get done next week."
Both the President and Governor Perry met with local elected and faith leaders about Dallas County commissioner court Judge Clay Jenkins' plan to house 2,000 children in Dallas County.
They include Judge Jenkins, Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, and Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas.
Jenkins told reporters, "For the most part, we put aside those partisan arguments and we discussed a way to get this problem resolved."
Chris Liebrum of the Texas Baptist Convention and his group have helped the children at the border. "We are concerned with the children. It is a disaster. Hopefully, our Congress will come together and get something done because it is a result of our federal government not getting the job done that has caused this."
Before leaving, the President said the Dallas area is compassionate after offering to house two thousand Central American children in Dallas County.
But the idea has divided North Texas between those who support the effort and those who bitterly oppose it.
Follow Jack Fink on Twitter: @cbs11jack
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