GOP Hopefuls Spar Over Immigration

YouTube Debate Turns Testy As Giuliani Accuses Romney Of Owning A "Sanctuary Mansion"

(CBS/AP)  The most fierce exchanges were among the candidates with the most at stake with only five weeks left before the first voting in the presidential contest begins. Giuliani leads in national polls but trails Romney in early-voting Iowa and New Hampshire. Romney faces challenges from Huckabee in Iowa and from Giuliani and McCain in New Hampshire.

Thompson, in what amounted to one of the first video attacks of the campaign, questioned the conservative credentials of two of his rivals in a YouTube clip. The video challenged Romney on abortion and Huckabee on taxes.

"I wanted to give my buddies here a little extra air time," Thompson said to laughter as he defended the video.

For Thompson, Romney and Huckabee are his biggest obstacles toward establishing himself as the candidate of conservatives.

"I was wrong, I was effectively pro-choice," said Romney, who has said he changed his stance in 2004 during debates on stem cell research. "On abortion, I was wrong."

"If people are looking for somebody in this country who has never made a mistake ... then they ought to find somebody else," he said.

As the front-runner, Giuliani faced questions about gun control, abortion and whether New York taxpayers foot the bill for security he received while the married mayor visited his then-girlfriend, Judith Nathan, now his wife.

Giuliani said he had 24-hour protection as mayor because of threats against him and said all costs incurred were proper.

"I had nothing to do with the handling of their records," he said of how his security detail reported the expenses. "And they were handled, as far as I know, perfectly appropriately."

McCain, who has shown no love for Romney during the campaign, seized on Romney's response to a question about the legality of waterboarding as an interrogation technique. Romney said that as a candidate he would not publicly discuss what techniques he would rule out. That prompted McCain, a former Vietnam POW, to assert that waterboarding is indeed torture and should not be tolerated.

"Governor, let me tell you, if we're going to gain the high ground in this world ... we're not going to torture people," McCain said. "How in the world someone could think that that kind of thing could be inflicted on people who are in our custody is absolutely beyond me."

McCain also engaged Ron Paul, a Texas congressman whose libertarian views and opposition to the war have attracted thousands of donors, millions of dollars and a devoted online following.

McCain said Paul is promoting isolationism in calling for the United States to disengage from the war. "We allowed (Adolf) Hitler to come to power with that attitude of isolation," he said.

Paul objected, saying McCain had misunderstood his support for nonintervention with isolationism.

"I want to trade with people, talk with people, travel," Paul replied. "But I don't want to send troops overseas using force to tell them how to live." Later he made clear he would not run as an independent, despite demands from many of his supporters.

One questioner, retired Brig. Gen. Keith Kerr of Santa Rosa, Calif., asked the candidates about their views on gays in the military as he revealed himself to be gay.

Huckabee, Romney, McCain and Rep. Duncan Hunter all said they supported the current "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The debate ended as it began, with Romney and Giuliani in a deeply personal dispute - over the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox.

"When I was mayor of New York City, the Yankees won four world championships," Giuliani said. "Since I've left being mayor of New York City, the Yankees have won none."

Romney replied: "Like most Americans, we love our sports teams and hate the Yankees."

[klingon69]

Barbara Streisand AND the Dixie Chicks were right about BUSH before it was fashionable. Not only that, but MIKE STILL doesnt see it. I have won this argument :) Its been nice thrashing you MIKE :)
Posted by californiar at 10:33 AM : Nov 29, 2007
Oh boy. A washed up no-talent, big nose singer, who hasn''t had a hit since before fire was discovered; and a group of annoying, nasal whiners trying to pass themselves off as country versions of Brittney Spears(probably would''ve been turning tricks at truckstops if hadn''t gotten lucky enough to be discovered). Is this the support of the Libs? Well, they could move away to France or whereever, no great loss.

[klingon69]

Hating is always easier than thinking.
Posted by rudy654 at 12:48 AM : Nov 29, 2007
But, illegal aliens are a major hotbed issue for most Americans.
How will our borders and ports be made safer and more secure?
What do we do about the estimated 12-20 million presently living in America?
What can we do that will be viewed by all concerned that would seem fair?
These are issues that are of a major concern for many if not most of the tax-paying citizenry of this country. So, if you want to try to spin it as hate, like you do anything that may even be slightly against the illegals, that''s your choice, but it is an issue and sore point for many.

[frankinaz]

"The overwhelming majority of these undocumented workers are guilty of one crime only, wanting to have a job which provides a living wage so they can feed their families." Wait-Not so fast: Although wanting to feed one''s family is not a crime, entering this country illegally is, hence the term "illegal immigrant." Lying on job applications, W-9 and other forms of paperwork is perjury. Next, many illegal immigrants resort to forgery, to fraudulently obtain other forms of I. D. and many services. These are laws that legal U. S. citizens can''t break most of the time, without serious consequences. So please, there is no such a person as a "Law Abiding
Illegal Immigrant." Many Americans are tired of seeing these people and the businesses that hire them
be rewarded, and not punished, for breaking the law.
Its also time that these foreign governments who receive U. S. aid also be held responsible for their own people, and not encourage their populations to emigrate here illegally, to further burden this country''s legal taxpayer ctitzens.

[kbcjedi]

Ron Paul who else. He was the last person to be asked a question in the debate. He was not asked a question about taxes, although that is his strongest position with American voters. There will be no more IRS under a Paul Administration. The income tax was never ratified, The Income tax is a custom originating from the Victory tax after WWII for the Marshall plan. Once the Federal Reserve is removed we can begin to rebuild
this country that has been devastated by the use of "fiat currency", the Constitution requires the use of metal, we have no Constitution because we are not using the Gold as the basis of our monetary system.

[nottellin1]

It is difficult to watch any of the candidates from either side. Does either party have a platform, do they have a candidate that has a IQ above a shoe size. They side step every issue, with a two step that would make every Texan proud. Why can''''t one of them simply say, " Hey, I don''''t have all the answers, but elect me and I''''ll do the best job I can". Beats all the BS they spout. Just one word of truth would be refreshing.


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Posted by Edward1975 at 01:00 AM : Nov 29, 2007

You most definately speak the truth. The scariest part of this scenario is that one of these losers, either Dem & Rep will be elected President. The current crop of candidates for both parties will only bring us more of the same. Even RP would have to work with a hostile legislative.

[bill1fj]

NO Amnesty
Deport Illegals
Fine and/or Jail anyone that hires illegals.
No benefits, licenses, or sanctuary for illegals.
Vote out of office any politician that will not work to secure our borders. NO talk, just action.
NO Amnesty

[gunownerdan]

There''s a reason why Dr. Ron Paul has nearly 78% in the CBS news poll.
You won''t hear this from the "mainstream" media, but peace and liberty are very popular!!!
ronpaul2008.com

[bill1fj]

This ILLEGAL Immigrant should be pretty simple to solve. I read that over 70% of the LEGAL U.S. Citizens want the illegals gone. The government, both parties, should have been enforcing the laws all along.
Deport any illegal found.
Fine and/or jail anyone that hires an illegal.
Do NOT let any illegal have a lisence of any type.
Do NOT allow any illegal to have benefits from any level of government.
Require all levels of government to help enforce the laws.
NO Amnesty

[tylenol6]

Has anyone every, I mean ever figured out why they won''t close the borders??????? Dosen''t make sense dose it?? I mean considering Bush is sooooooooooooooooo worried about terrorism. Ahem......... Everyone should look up the North American Union, where Bush wants to combine Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Just like RON PAUL said. Yes, people it is true. It is happening all under everyone''s noses. Don''t believe me? Look it up.You can even read about the stories about people where the government is using eminent domain to take
their property for this highway.I have a friend who lives in Austin, Texas and a superhighway is being built through the midwest all
the way up to Canada and it is being built as we speak. Google Guiliani and Cintra. Cintra is the company name. Cintra is owned by the king of Spain and
Guiliani, yes Guiliani, will make LOTS of money off of
this project. And, it will be a toll road to boot. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!!

[tylenol6]

McCain needs to go home to Phoenix, Arizona.I hear the
people in Arizona hate him and are trying to recall him.
Oop''s the news media isn''t reporting any of this. Is any
one surprised?????? NOT!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, I think he was baaaaaadddddddd in the debate.
Go home McLame, your all washed up....................