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Hard Line Arizona Sheriff Expected To Endorse Perry

RIck Perry could pick up an important endorsement this week.
RIck Perry could pick up an important endorsement this week.

Governor Rick Perry was at the top of the GOP primary polls - until a series of poor debate performances and a single policy that many in the Republican base thought made his "soft" on illegal immigration.

Now the Governor may regain some of his footing among those who want to shut down the United States-Mexico border.

The controversial sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona -- Joe Arpaio -- is expected to endorse Perry in the next few days, according to a report by ABC News. Just about all of the GOP candidates have called or visited Arpaio to try to get his stamp of approval. 

If Gov. Perry has indeed won, it could improve his standing among voters who take a hard line on immigration, especially with current front-runner Newt Gingrich taking heat forhis own immigration policy statements, which some have characterized as amnesty.

Also on the campaign front, Gov. Perry heads to New Hampshire today for stops Tuesday and Wednesday. He then flies out to Los Angeles for an appearance Thursday on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He'll be on with Mike & Molly star Melissa McCarthy (loved her in Gilmore Girls).

The Governor appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman a few weeks ago to poke fun at himself. Perry was in damage control mode afterhis "oops" momentduring a debate, when he couldn't remember the third federal agency he wanted to eliminate if elected president.

Ben Philpott is the Managing Editor for KUT. Got a tip? Email him at bphilpott@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @BenPhilpottKUT.
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