Perry gets heckled on immigration at Tex-Mex fundraiser

Texas Gov. Rick Perry dined with Republican donors Thursday in Charlotte, but the fundraiser at a Tex-Mex restaurant also drew protesters who said the leading GOP presidential candidate wasn't tough enough on immigration.

Perry mingled with about 100 Republicans willing to pay $1,000 to $2,500 to meet the candidate at a luncheon. The setting was a Tex-Mex restaurant in the SouthPark Mall.

As Perry donors entered the San Antonio Modern Restaurant to the strains of Mexican music, a small group of protesters gathered nearby on Barclay Downs Drive. They carried signs, saying Perry wasn't tough enough on immigration.

Messages on the signs read "Say No to Rick Perry's In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens!" and "Rick Perry — Endorsed by Mexico."

William Gheen, president of the Raleigh-based Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC), said, "It's time for him to exit the race. Do the Republican Party and the country a favor, and exit the race."

Vernon Robinson, a Concord Republican who is running for Congress in the 8th District, also showed up to protest Perry's stand on immigration.

"Rick Perry's amnesty, if enacted into law, would be the first time Texas has surrendered to Mexico in 175 years," Robinson said.

Members of the group later heckled Perry during a question-and-answer session with members of the media.

But supporters and others who attended the fund raising luncheon touted Perry's record of creating jobs in Texas. They said that would make him a formidable candidate for President Obama in 2012.

Former state Sen. Robert Pittenger said Texas has created 730,000 jobs in the last decade. And the Mecklenburg County Republican said he planned to tell Perry to "keep telling the Texas story, because it's working. Low taxes and more jobs."

Charlotte mayoral candidate Scott Stone also attended. He downplayed Perry's bad reviews in recent GOP presidential debates.

"A lot more is made of debates than needs to be," Stone said. "He's got a great jobs record and executive experience."

Read more of this story at CharlotteObserver.com

This story was originally published September 29, 2011 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Perry gets heckled on immigration at Tex-Mex fundraiser."