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Perry Defends States' Rights

In a Republican debate in South Carolina Monday night, the Texas governor said the state "is at war with this federal government and this administration."

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is blasting the Obama administration for intruding on states' rights.

In a Republican debate in South Carolina Monday night, the Texas governor said the state "is at war with this federal government and this administration."

He criticized the Obama administration for slapping down South Carolina's voter identification law, which would require voters to show a photo ID before casting a ballot. He also objected to the Justice Department suing the state over its tough immigration law.

The Texas governor said the most egregious example of federal government overreach was the National Labor Relations Board intervening in a right to work state. He was referring to a ruling against Boeing, which moved production from Washington to South Carolina.

Perry called the federal actions "irresponsible" and "unconstitutional."

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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