Even with Ron Paul shredding Newt Gingrich as a “chickenhawk,” Rick Perry outdid a field of candidates who appear to be running on promises to invade or bomb other countries. However Perry is the only guy who is not only eager to start another war but willing to restart a prior war. Top that Newt.

Perry proclaimed that he would not “allow the Iranians to come back into Iraq and take over that country.” Perry added that our premature departure is due to Obama’s “kowtow[ing] to his liberal, leftist base and move out those men and women.” His aides were quick to take issue with the re-invade spin of critics, insisting that “Perry wants to establish a strategic presence in Iraq like we have in hot spots around the world. That’s not an invasion, that’s common sense.” Unfortunately, the campaign is correct. That is indeed an example of the common sense of the GOP candidates in this primary.

The reason of the confusion as to Perry’s suggestion is that the Iraqis demanded that we leave their country and refused efforts of the Obama Administration to stay. The citizens, or at least the government, of a country generally has a say as to whether we place large numbers of troops in their country. Otherwise, it is an involuntary act commonly called an invasion. In fairness to Perry, I do not think he was suggesting a re-invasion. However, the statement is shocking for many Americans who oppose the war and its costs to our nation.