By PAUL GUTIERREZ (KYMA)

YUMA — The National Guard will soon have a bigger role in protecting our nation's borders. President Obama's administration confirmed Tuesday up to 1,200 troops will head south to combat drug smuggling.

The plan has already gotten the attention of three Arizona gubernatorial candidates. According to Buz Mills, the number is far too low to keep illegal activity out of the country. He believes a more realistic plan would include 10,000 troops along the border.

Governor Jan Brewer, running for re-election this year, acknowledged she's pleased with the president's response.

"My signing of Senate Bill 1070 has clearly ignited the talk of action in Washington for the people of Arizona and other border states."

Attorney General Terry Goddard also wants to be the state's next governor. He's on board with the president's plan calling it a good start. He also hopes his own ideas will be realized.

"I think what we need is a one-two punch from the government," he said. The first is to aggressively help us go after the cartels. The second is to have immigration reform, which allows us to regularize the movement of people who want to come and work in the United States to be able to get Visas."

Attorney General Goddard adds he's skeptical of the fence along the Southwest border. He doesn't believe it's effective and sees it as counter-productive.

"The kind of sophistication the cartels bring is hopping over the fence, where it does exist, to cutting through it to burrowing under it. A fence is symbolic, but I don't think it's much of a deterrant."