CONCORD, N.H. – Shortly after filing his paperwork to enter New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, Texas Gov. Rick Perry greeted voters at the Barley House on North Main Street here and fielded questions on global warming and his support of Texas legislation that offers in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

Perry has expressed skepticism over global warming on previous trips to the Granite State, saying in August that the issue of global warming has been “politicized.”

Asked about his stance while mingling with supporters in the crowded basement today, Perry said his global warming skepticism is not a result of ignorance.

“I don’t put myself in the ignorant category. I put myself in the, you know, thoughtful skeptic,” Perry told the group.

After recording a radio interview with WKXL, Perry was approached by Bill Higgins, an elderly man from Massachusetts and member of the Northborough Tea Party. Higgins expressed the Tea Party group’s concern that the Texas governor was weak on immigration because of his support of in-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants in Texas.

Perry said the federal government’s failure to secure the border forced the state of Texas to deal with illegal immigrants in a different way than other states, but he assured Higgins that, should he become president, he’d work to secure the border.

Higgins told reporters after hearing Perry’s answer that he will support the Texas governor in this election.

Asked during his radio interview how he would bridge the divide in culture, politics and religion between Texas and the Northeast, Perry pointed to his job creation record as an issue transcending differences between to the two regions.

Perry will tape an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper this afternoon.