CNN Las Vegas Republican Presidential Primary Debate Highlights Part III
Participants:
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
Texas Governor Rick Perry
Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
Texas Congressman Ron Paul
Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum
Moderator:
Anderson Cooper
Question: Religion in America
Gingrich: Religion and morality matters. How can I trust your judgment if you have no faith? [Applause]
Perry: I did not agree with a previous religious opinion the Pastor Jeffers made.
Romney: We should not choose people based on their religious faith. This nation has a bedrock principle of plurality of faith.
Question: Cut Defense Spending?
Bachmann: Obama engaged troops in a fourth conflict. Number one threat is a nuclear Iran. Defense spending is on the table for cuts. He is putting us in Libya, now he is putting us in Africa.
Gingrich: Washington is totally broke. [Current] Politicians have no sophistication about foreign policy. I'm a hawk, but a cheap hawk.
Paul: I think our defense would be enhanced if had spending cuts and not subsidize Japan and Germany's security. We cannot afford our empire which will end in failure. Its time to come home. [Applause].
Question: Would anyone negotiate for a hostage like Israel?
Cain: I would have a policy not to negotiate with terrorists. I'm sure Netanyahu had a lot of things to consider. I would have to look at the individual situation.
Santorum: No negotiation. I would not cut defense spending.
Paul: We are on economic suicide to continue this spending. I want to hear someone here willing to cut something. Which country could invade this country?
Question: The American people are suffering, why are we sending foreign aid?
Perry: We should defund the United Nations. Palestine's use of the UN is a travesty.
Romney: Foreign aid has several elements, including defense. Part is humanitarian. Get the Chinese to give foreign aid. We are spending more on foreign than we should.
Paul: Foreign aid should be the easiest thing to cut. Its taking money from poor people in America and gives it to rich people in poor country. Cut foreign aid to Israel and Egypt.
Bachmann: Do not cut aid to Israel. Israel is our greatest ally. We should look to Iraq and Libya to reimburse us for liberation. I would not do a hostage exchange.
Cain: Peace through strength and clarity. Stop giving money to our enemies.
Paul: Are you all willing to attack Reagan for exchanging weapons for hostages?
Santorum: Not terrorists in Guantanamo.
Paul: They are suspects, not terrorists.
Gingrich: Reagan thought the exchange was a terrible mistake.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
Texas Governor Rick Perry
Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
Texas Congressman Ron Paul
Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum
Moderator:
Anderson Cooper
Question: Religion in America
Gingrich: Religion and morality matters. How can I trust your judgment if you have no faith? [Applause]
Perry: I did not agree with a previous religious opinion the Pastor Jeffers made.
Romney: We should not choose people based on their religious faith. This nation has a bedrock principle of plurality of faith.
Question: Cut Defense Spending?
Bachmann: Obama engaged troops in a fourth conflict. Number one threat is a nuclear Iran. Defense spending is on the table for cuts. He is putting us in Libya, now he is putting us in Africa.
Gingrich: Washington is totally broke. [Current] Politicians have no sophistication about foreign policy. I'm a hawk, but a cheap hawk.
Paul: I think our defense would be enhanced if had spending cuts and not subsidize Japan and Germany's security. We cannot afford our empire which will end in failure. Its time to come home. [Applause].
Question: Would anyone negotiate for a hostage like Israel?
Cain: I would have a policy not to negotiate with terrorists. I'm sure Netanyahu had a lot of things to consider. I would have to look at the individual situation.
Santorum: No negotiation. I would not cut defense spending.
Paul: We are on economic suicide to continue this spending. I want to hear someone here willing to cut something. Which country could invade this country?
Question: The American people are suffering, why are we sending foreign aid?
Perry: We should defund the United Nations. Palestine's use of the UN is a travesty.
Romney: Foreign aid has several elements, including defense. Part is humanitarian. Get the Chinese to give foreign aid. We are spending more on foreign than we should.
Paul: Foreign aid should be the easiest thing to cut. Its taking money from poor people in America and gives it to rich people in poor country. Cut foreign aid to Israel and Egypt.
Bachmann: Do not cut aid to Israel. Israel is our greatest ally. We should look to Iraq and Libya to reimburse us for liberation. I would not do a hostage exchange.
Cain: Peace through strength and clarity. Stop giving money to our enemies.
Paul: Are you all willing to attack Reagan for exchanging weapons for hostages?
Santorum: Not terrorists in Guantanamo.
Paul: They are suspects, not terrorists.
Gingrich: Reagan thought the exchange was a terrible mistake.
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