On this weekend’s airing of “The McLaughlin Group,” a rare moment of bipartisan agreement was reached by the show’s panel on the subject of Gov. Rick Perry’s handling of the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to conservative commentator Pat Buchanan, Perry has an opportunity to use the immigration issue to boost his chances in the 2016 Republican primaries.
“[Immigration] reform is dead and Mr. Perry, if he is a wise man, and I think he’s pretty smart, can ride this issue into the primaries because it is a blazing issue,” Buchanan said. “It has gone national now. It has been on television. Take a look at Drudge – he must have 30 stories about it up on his website. It has gone on for weeks now and Obama has gone on the defensive.”
Shortly after in that same segment, Buchanan’s fellow panelists Eleanor Clift of the Daily Beast, Guy Taylor of the Washington Times and Mort Zuckerman of U.S. News and World Report concurred by noting the rise of Perry amid the turmoil, especially with the criticisms President Barack Obama has faced for his handling of the border situation.
“This is affecting Rick Perry more than it is Barack Obama — positively,” Taylor said.
“Head-to-head with the president of the United States is where you want to be as a Republican,” Buchanan said. “I think Rick Perry is holding his own. He’s winning.”
“Rick Perry outmaneuvered President Obama,” Clift said. “So score one.”
“Yes, Rick Perry [looks presidential],” Zuckerman said. “He’s very shrewd and very capable. He’s not to be underestimated. I’m not saying I’m supporting him as a candidate. But he’s absolutely terrific.”
“There you have it – a star is born,” host John McLaughlin added.
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