Rick Perry caused a stir at his final tour stop in New Hampshire by saying that he would consider sending U.S. troops to Mexico to fight drug violence.

“It may require our military in Mexico,” Perry said in answer to a question about drug violence along the southern border. In the back yard of New Hampshire gubernatorial contender and tea-party activist Ovide Lamontagne, Perry offered no details, and a spokesman, Robert Black, said afterward that Perry would work with the Mexican government. But Black declined to specify whether Perry is amenable to sending troops into Mexico with or without the country’s consent.

“If he were president he would do what it takes,” Black said.

The remarks prompted speculation about exactly what Perry meant and what the implications might be for the nation’s relationship with Mexico.

The issue also opens the door to scrutiny of Perry’s position on U.S. military intervention generally. The governor has criticized Obama’s management of military operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere; on Saturday, at the same campaign appearance where Perry made his remarks about Mexico, he promised never to send troops into another country without a detailed plan for winning and withdrawing quickly.

Pressed to explain Perry’s remarks, Black, the spokesman, offered this: “Never say never.”

A New Hampshire Republican voter was quoted as,"...with his "invade Mexico" plan, I can no longer tell if Perry is merely pandering to stupidity or is genuinely stupid himself. Could it be both? Either way, he won't be getting my vote."