2016 Presidential Candidate Rick Perry answers questions at Town Hall forum hosted by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott

On August 27, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) hosted presidential candidate Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) at his popular Tim’s Town Hall in Columbia, SC.  Serving as co-host was Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC).  Also in attendance was Senator Scott’s mom, Frances, who was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

After giving a brief overview of his successes as governor, Governor Perry answered several questions that were submitted by attendees.  Senator Scott and Representative Gowdy took turns reading the questions.  Governor Perry’s answers about the national debt, the border, the Iran deal and the Veterans Administration were well received.

Regarding the national debt, Governor Perry said, “It’s immoral not to address the debt.”  He said we need to cut spending, reform entitlement programs, lower the corporate tax rate so wages can go up and open up the Keystone Pipeline so America can be energy independent.

On the issue of securing the border, he said it’s the federal government’s responsibility to secure it and not the states’.  The examples he gave as to how to secure it are putting the right personnel in strategic places and utilizing technology, such as drones or planes for flyovers, to see what’s going on along the border,

When asked about the deal with Iran, he said, “The best thing to do is to vote down this agreement.  We need to let the world know that America won’t stand by this deal.”  He reminded everyone that we’re dealing with a country that wants to kill Americans and has killed members of the military in the past.

After thanking members of the military in attendance, he mentioned that Marcus Luttrell lived with his family for a couple of years recuperating from injuries suffered in an ambush in Afghanistan.  Every member of Seal Team 10 was killed except Marcus Luttrell, who became known as the “lone survivor.”  If it wasn’t for his intervention, Marcus Luttrell wouldn’t have received the care he needed.  Governor Perry said that most of the Veterans Administration should be privatized.  He thinks the VA is corrupt and as president, he’d “go to bat every day for veterans.”

For more information about the presidential candidate townhalls hosted by Senator Tim Scott please visit http://www.timstownhalls.com. His next guest, slated to appear on Monday, September 7, will be 2016 candidate and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.