How Rick Perry Won the Week

By Arlette Saenz July 11, 2014

(Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

From the television airwaves to the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas Governor Rick Perry was everywhere this week, raising the question: Could Rick Perry make a comeback?

Perry, whose unforgettable "oops" moment derailed his presidential campaign in 2012, was front and center in the week's most closely watched issue - how President Obama is handling the influx of unaccompanied minors streaming across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Donning his new hipster glasses, the Texas governor was everywhere, from flying aboard Marine One with the president to riding a patrol boat on the Rio Grande, managing to insert himself in a controversial debate that could lend him some credibility should he decide to make another run for the White House in 2016.

Here's a recap of Perry's week in the spotlight:

Sunday - Perry Criticizes Obama on 'This Week' Appearing on ABC News' "This Week," Perry blasted President Obama's response to the thousands of unaccompanied minors and adults crossing the border.

"I don't believe he particularly cares whether or not the border of the United States is secure," Perry said in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Martha Raddatz. "And that's the reason there's been this lack of effort, this lack of focus, this lack of resources."

Monday - Perry Turns Down Obama's Invitation Perry said thanks, but no thanks, to the president's invitation to greet him at the Austin airport when he traveled to Texas later in the week. President Obama drew criticism from Republicans for not making the time to go to the border while on a two-day fundraising trip in the Lone Star State. Instead of meeting him at the airport, Perry proposed a one-on-one in-depth meeting between the two to discuss border security.

"A quick handshake on the tarmac will not allow for a thoughtful discussion regarding the humanitarian and national security crises enveloping the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas," Perry wrote.

Perry Declines POTUS Invite

Late Monday evening, President Obama's team countered Perry's proposal, inviting him to attend a roundtable with faith leaders and local elected officials.

Valerie Jarrett's Letter to Perry

Tuesday - Perry Agrees to Meet Obama Perry accepted President Obama's invitation to meet.

"Governor Perry is pleased that President Obama has accepted his invitation to discuss the humanitarian and national security crises along our southern border, and he looks forward to meeting with the president tomorrow," Felix Browne, communications director for Perry, told ABC News.

Meanwhile, this happened in Colorado.

(Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

Wednesday - Perry and Obama Chat About Border Crisis The meeting of the minds finally occurred. Perry greeted Obama at DFW airport before the two boarded Marine One, where they had a private meeting about the issue at the border.

(Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

Perry and Obama then met with faith leaders and local elected officials to discuss how to deal with the border crisis.

(Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

After the meeting, President Obama, who declined calls to visit the border while in Texas, said the recommendations Perry offered "made sense."

"There's nothing the governor indicated that he'd like to see that I have a philosophical objection to," the president said. "The problem here is not a major disagreement around the actions that could be helpful in dealing with the problem. The challenge is, is Congress prepared to act to put the resources in place to get this done?"

In his meeting with the president, Perry reiterated his request that Obama visit the border himself as well as asked him to send additional resources, including 1,000 more National Guard troops, to the border. The Texas governor also asked the president to direct the Department of Defense to allow the National Guard to use predator drones along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Thursday - Perry Tours U.S.-Mexico Border

On Thursday, Perry made his way down to the border to tour the scene firsthand. Wearing a bulletproof vest and backwards baseball cap, Perry hopped on board a patrol boat on the Rio Grande with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Perry even invited FOX News' Sean Hannity along for the ride, who aired the Texas governor's trip on FOX News on Thursday night.