CBS Hits Rick Perry From the Left on BLM Controversy; Immigration

Norah O'Donnell pursued Texas Governor Rick Perry on the 24 April 2014 edition of CBS This Morning over the controversial land dispute between Nevada rancher Clive Bundy and the federal government. O'Donnell asked Perry, "What do you make of this standoff? What do you think of Clive Bundy? Do you think what he's done was a good thing?"

When the Republican politician replied that Bundy is a "side story," and that "rather than sending armed troops....I hope our government officials...use common sense when it comes to these issues of conflict...dealing with something...in a substantially-less confrontational way," the CBS anchor followed up by spotlighting the rancher's racially-charged remarks:

NORAH O'DONNELL: And just to button up real quick: Clive Bundy made some very inflammatory racial comments that are reported in the New York Times today. Do you denounce those comments?

PERRY: Right. I don't know what he said, but the fact is, Clive Bundy is a side issue here, compared to what we're looking at in the State of Texas. He is an individual – deal with his – deal with his issues as you may. What we have in the State of Texas – I don't get distracted about – is the federal government is coming in and attempting, from our perspective, to take over private property. And you must – if this country's to stay the land of freedom and liberty, private property rights must be respected.