A Showdown In Texas As Rick Perry Snubs Obama

On Sunday, the Texas Governor Rick Perry got shredded during an interview with ABC’s Martha Raddatz for claiming President Obama and his administration was either “inept” or had “an ulterior motive” when it comes to border enforcement

Then on Monday, Rick Perry snubs Obama, refusing the meet the President on the tarmac when he arrives in Austin this Wednesday for an economic event and fundraising stop.

As reported by NBC, Perry sent a letter to Obama declining to meet him, writing:

“[A] quick handshake on the tarmac will not allow for a thoughtful discussion regarding the humanitarian and national security crises enveloping the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. I would instead offer to meet with you at any time during your visit to Texas for a substantive meeting to discuss this critical issue.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that hours after Perry rejected an airport encounter, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett wrote to the Texas governor and offered a sit-down with Mr. Obama to discuss the surge of children and families from Central America crossing the border illegally:

“The president would welcome a meeting with you while he is in Texas. In addition, he asked me to invite you to join him for a meeting to discuss the situation on the border with faith leaders and local elected officials in Dallas on Wednesday.”

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest also elaborated on Perry’s snub stating: “The president’s well-aware of what’s happening along the southwest border, and that is why you’ve seen the wide range of steps from the authority the president already has to enforce the law.”

The Wall Street Journal noted that last week Earnest said, “it’s hard to take seriously Governor Perry’s concerns,” adding that Mr. Perry could most effectively help by urging Texas Republicans in Congress to pass legislation overhauling immigration laws.

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