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Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney meet at Florida debate Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney meet at Florida debate
(40 minutes later)
US Republicans Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are facing off in a national debate in the US state of Florida, ahead of that state's primary vote. US Republicans Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are facing off in a national debate in the US state of Florida, ahead of the primary vote there.
Mr Gingrich released his 2006 contract with federal mortgage agency Freddie Mac amid pressure to explain his role. The rivals clashed early on as Mr Romney called Mr Gingrich an "influence peddler", stating that he resigned from Congress in "disgrace".
Mr Romney called his rival erratic like a "pinball machine", challenging him to return $1.6m (£1m) in consulting fees. Mr Gingrich shot back that the wealthy businessman "can't tell the truth".
In two polls released on Monday, Mr Gingrich's lead among likely Florida voters grew to as much as 9%.In two polls released on Monday, Mr Gingrich's lead among likely Florida voters grew to as much as 9%.
Fellow candidates Rick Santorum, a former senator, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul also took to the stage on Monday.Fellow candidates Rick Santorum, a former senator, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul also took to the stage on Monday.
In the opening exchanges of the debate both front-running candidates addressed the issue of their electability. Lots of taxes
Mr Gingrich said that he would not "manage the decay" in Washington, while Mr Romney focused on Mr Gingrich's resignation from Congress in "disgrace". Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich traded barbs in the opening exchanges of the debate as they addressed the issue of their electability.
Mr Gingrich said that he would not "manage the decay" in Washington, while Mr Romney contrasted his leadership style with what he called Mr Gingrich's resignation from Congress in "disgrace".
Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich clashed over his contract with the federal mortgage lender Freddie Mac, with Mr Romney saying Mr Gingrich was doing business with Washington's "chief lobbyists".Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich clashed over his contract with the federal mortgage lender Freddie Mac, with Mr Romney saying Mr Gingrich was doing business with Washington's "chief lobbyists".
Mr Romney also admitted a tactical shift towards attacking his rivals after scrutiny over his tax returns sent his poll ratings ahead of the primary vote in South Carolina. Mr Gingrich countered that: "I have never, ever gone and done any lobbying."
Mr Romney was forced to defend himself on the issue of his taxes.
He said that when he discloses his tax returns on Tuesday it would be clear that he pays "not a dollar more" than what he owes, adding that he pays "a lot of taxes".
Meanwhile, Mr Romney also admitted a tactical shift towards attacking his rivals after scrutiny over his tax returns sent his poll ratings ahead of the primary vote in South Carolina.
'Deliberately false''Deliberately false'
Earlier on Monday Mr Gingrich released his 2006 contract with federal mortgage agency Freddie Mac amid pressure to explain his role there.
Mr Romney had called his rival erratic like a "pinball machine", challenging him to return $1.6m (£1m) in consulting fees and demanding release of the contracts.
Mr Gingrich's contract with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp specifies that the former House Speaker would be paid a monthly retainer of $25,000, for a total of $300,000 for "consulting and related services".Mr Gingrich's contract with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp specifies that the former House Speaker would be paid a monthly retainer of $25,000, for a total of $300,000 for "consulting and related services".
Earlier on Monday Mr Romney had demanded the release of the contracts.
Mr Romney also suggested that Mr Gingrich worked for companies that potentially benefited from the passage of a prescription drug benefit in 2003.Mr Romney also suggested that Mr Gingrich worked for companies that potentially benefited from the passage of a prescription drug benefit in 2003.
At the time Mr Gingrich was no longer a member of the House of Representatives and did not register as a federal lobbyist, however, he continued to be active on Capitol Hill as he ran a variety of foundations and private groups.At the time Mr Gingrich was no longer a member of the House of Representatives and did not register as a federal lobbyist, however, he continued to be active on Capitol Hill as he ran a variety of foundations and private groups.
Mr Romney released a television advertisement with similar themes in Florida on Friday - his first official attack ad.Mr Romney released a television advertisement with similar themes in Florida on Friday - his first official attack ad.
"It's not true," Mr Gingrich said of Mr Romney's assertions. "He knows it's not true. He's deliberately saying things he knows are false.""It's not true," Mr Gingrich said of Mr Romney's assertions. "He knows it's not true. He's deliberately saying things he knows are false."
Mr Gingrich himself spent the days before the South Carolina primary calling on the former Massachusetts governor to release his tax returns - something Mr Romney has now said he will do on Tuesday.Mr Gingrich himself spent the days before the South Carolina primary calling on the former Massachusetts governor to release his tax returns - something Mr Romney has now said he will do on Tuesday.
Mr Gingrich won a decisive victory in South Carolina on Saturday, taking 40% of the vote, and the Gingrich campaign said it received $1m in 24 hours after his victory in South Carolina.Mr Gingrich won a decisive victory in South Carolina on Saturday, taking 40% of the vote, and the Gingrich campaign said it received $1m in 24 hours after his victory in South Carolina.
The Gingrich campaign's new infusion of cash will help in a state where television ads are crucial, but his campaign is still under-funded compared to Mr Romney.The Gingrich campaign's new infusion of cash will help in a state where television ads are crucial, but his campaign is still under-funded compared to Mr Romney.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul will skip the state, focusing on other upcoming primaries.Texas Congressman Ron Paul will skip the state, focusing on other upcoming primaries.
Mr Santorum, however, will campaign in Florida in an attempt to stay in the race after a third-place finish in South Carolina.Mr Santorum, however, will campaign in Florida in an attempt to stay in the race after a third-place finish in South Carolina.
The Florida primary will be held on 31 January.The Florida primary will be held on 31 January.
With Newt Gingrich's win in South Carolina, the nomination contest is now expected to continue into the spring.With Newt Gingrich's win in South Carolina, the nomination contest is now expected to continue into the spring.
The eventual Republican candidate will face President Barack Obama in the general election in November.The eventual Republican candidate will face President Barack Obama in the general election in November.
Are you in Florida? Get in touch using the form below.Are you in Florida? Get in touch using the form below.
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