Bachmann says securing the border must come first

PHOENIX - Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann met with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Wednesday at his Phoenix office.

The Republican presidential candidate spoke briefly before the meeting and talked about what she thinks is the number one issue when it comes to the state of Arizona.

"What we need to do is first secure the border," Bachmann said. "We need to deal with that issue first. Deal with all the inducements that are out there and then move on from there."

The self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America would seem to agree with that as he continues to fight and work against illegal immigration on a daily basis.

Bachmann was likely courting Arpaio for an endorsement in their meeting.

"He's a great guy, anyone would want his endorsement," Bachmann said when asked if that was what the meeting was about.

Earlier in the day a spokeswoman said Bachmann is in Arizona for fundraisers for her campaign for the Republican nomination for president and that the private afternoon meeting with Arpaio was arranged on short notice.

When asked by CNN's John King what his endorsement would mean to a presidential candidate Sheriff Arpaio said "I dunno, you gotta ask them, they're all calling me. I had four guys running for president a few years ago and they all lost when they visited me in my tent city jail, so why do they keep coming asking for my endorsement? I dunno I must be doing something right. It's not because of my looks."

Arpaio campaign manager Chad Willems says Bachmann has called Arpaio several times and that Arpaio has also received recent calls from Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. The Sheriff also met with Herman Cain recently in Las Vegas.

Willems says Arpaio will take his time on deciding on making an endorsement.

The sheriff endorsed Romney over home-state candidate John McCain in the 2008 primary race. McCain won the state's 2008 primary, with Romney placing second.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.