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Republican trade barbs in CNN debate in Las Vegas | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Republican presidential hopefuls have clashed fiercely in their latest televised debate in the economically depressed state of Nevada. | |
Herman Cain - who has jumped in the polls despite having never won an election - came under heavy fire in the opening minutes for his 9-9-9 tax plan. | |
But some of the sharpest sparring took place between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry over immigration. | |
Texas Governor Perry was aiming for a comeback after a series of missteps. | |
The backdrop for Tuesday's CNN debate in Las Vegas is a repossession-wracked state with an unemployment rate of 13.4%, the highest in the US. | The backdrop for Tuesday's CNN debate in Las Vegas is a repossession-wracked state with an unemployment rate of 13.4%, the highest in the US. |
'You have a problem' | |
Former pizza magnate Mr Cain's signature proposal for a 9% personal income tax, a 9% corporate tax and a 9% national sales tax immediately came under attack from all sides. | |
Representative Michele Bachmann said Mr Cain's call for a 9% federal sales tax would only be the beginning, with the rate rising later. | |
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said one analysis showed 84% of Americans would bear a heavier tax burden under Mr Cain's plan. | |
Mr Perry - who said he would unveil his own tax plan this week - also dismissed Mr Cain's proposal, saying he would "bump plans with you, brother". | |
The most heated clash was between Mr Perry and former Massachusetts Governor Mr Romney over immigration, with each candidate speaking over the other. | |
"You have a problem with letting people finish their sentences," Mr Romney told Mr Perry. | |
Mr Perry accused Mr Romney of having hired illegal migrants, saying he was guilty of "the height of hypocrisy". | |
Mr Romney - who has struggled to energise the party's conservative base despite proving a solid frontrunner - denied the allegation. | |
He hit back, criticising Mr Perry for backing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants' children in Texas. | |
Mr Perry became the frontrunner when he entered the race in August, although he has lost ground after several lacklustre debate performances and campaign distractions. | |
Texas Representative Ron Paul and former House of Representives Speaker Newt Gingrich also took part. | |
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman boycotted the debate after Nevada moved its caucus up to 14 January. |