Gotta Watch: Political debate smackdowns
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry participate in the Republican presidential debate airing on CNN, October 18, 2011.
October 19th, 2011
11:02 AM ET

Gotta Watch: Political debate smackdowns

A political debate isn't a good one without a few awkward and fiery moments. Tuesday night's Western Republican Presidential Debate in Las Vegas was certainly no exception.  The candidates clashed over all kinds of hot button issues like taxes and health care.  In today's Gotta Watch, we wanted to feature some of our best political debate smackdowns, starting with arguably the most heated exchange from the Vegas debate between Mitt Romney and Gov. Rick Perry.

Gloves come off - It's a really awkward exchange that includes a lot of yelling, bickering and even a condescending pat on the shoulder. Watch what ensues after Gov. Rick Perry accuses Mitt Romney of hiring illegal immigrants.

Age is just a number - During the 1984 presidential debate, incumbent Ronald Reagan took a jab at his younger opponent, former vice president Walter Mondale.  Mondale brought up concerns about Reagan's age at a prior debate, saying that his ideas were too old. Reagan decided to turn the tables on Mondale, getting a lot of laughs for his comment.

'Where's the beef?' - This slogan sounds like a Wendy's hamburger ad, but instead it's something that got Walter Mondale a lot of attention during a Democratic debate in 1984.  You've gotta watch this exchange after rival Gary Hart kept bragging about his "new ideas" and Mondale just got fed up.

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Filed under: Elections • Gotta Watch • Immigration • Las Vegas • Mitt Romney • Politics • Republican Party • Tea Party • U.S.
soundoff (42 Responses)
  1. bobcat2u

    Here's an idea that would break all of thes candidates down.
    Turn the debate questions over to the american common people. This way the candidates have no idea what they are going to be asked, and would have to answer off the top of their heads. Right now, they're able to be well versed because they already know what the subject is going to be. Let's see some real questions from real people.

    October 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm | Report abuse |
    • eldono

      We need to realize that Perry is the Anti Christ and attempt to goat and disrupt any proceedings where the other candidates are involved.

      October 19, 2011 at 4:35 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Leo Giordano

    hello everyone, i thought Perry was a good canidate untill i saw the ay he handled the debate. i feel that a presidential canidate who bashes people would not be a good president. As for the brother comment!!! people need to stop thinking racist if they want to end racisum. we are all brothers of mankind and any one seeing it as a racial comment is seeing it that way because thats who they really are. racisum is being feed by racists and that hurts all of us not just the ones involved. its time to grow up and be the adults we say we are.

    October 19, 2011 at 3:01 pm | Report abuse |
    • Captain America

      I agree, the only candidates that dont really bash other candidates are Ron Paul and Bachman, the others take cheap shots like its not a debate but a shouting match. Terrible debaters, just terrible. Hope Ron Paul gets the attention he deserves.

      October 19, 2011 at 4:08 pm | Report abuse |
  3. NudeTruth

    Newt said it best CNN and other news media outlets should stop trying to prioritize bickering and allow equal time to all candidates.

    Ron Paul's BlackThisOut Money Bomb going on right now people!

    October 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Luke

    This is ridiculous. Reminds me of the South Park episode when the boys had to vote for a school mascot...very sad. Politics was once such an academic and intellectual pursuit now it just preys on simple people who will buy this unstructured ambiguous crap.

    October 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Roseinnw

    Where was Ron Paul's closing statement? Because of your blatant bias towards Dr. Paul my entire family will be donating to his campaign the Maximum amount we can. Then I am turning off our cable and will never watch lame stream news ever again. Don't think for one minute that people don't see what you are doing to Ron Paul and his supporters. Shame.

    October 19, 2011 at 4:14 pm | Report abuse |
  6. eldono

    Who on Earth decided to put these two right next to each other. From here on out, keep them separated. Actually, just put Perry in the bathroom.

    October 19, 2011 at 4:30 pm | Report abuse |
  7. eldono

    People, we need to realize that Perry is the Anti Christ and will try to goat and disrupt any proceedings where the other candidates are involved.

    October 19, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Vanessa

    Ron Paul and his supporters?! What about Gov. Gary Johnson? Gov. Johnson is getting the shaft b/c the media thinks we the people would rather he bickering instead of solutions. These folks are a joke!

    October 19, 2011 at 4:36 pm | Report abuse |
  9. dms jr.

    What matter to American people is who sounded best in governing the America and being the world leader as a president, with a prosperous economy, balanced budget, low unemployment rate, better American life standard including affordable mortgages and healthcare insurance, in that comprehensive standards, Ron Paul appears to be the only qualified one so far.

    October 19, 2011 at 4:40 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Gene

    As bad as Obama is portrayed, I don't see any of these republicans beating him. So in essence, I guess that means they are worse! Just looking at it from an average American standpoint...

    October 19, 2011 at 4:59 pm | Report abuse |
  11. s kel

    SALLY YOU IGNORANT T PARTY B!

    October 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm | Report abuse |
  12. nur amabo nur

    More and bigger wars, higher taxes, less accountability, irresponsible leadership, corporate takeover of the country. That's what we'll have if Ron Paul is not elected.

    October 19, 2011 at 8:25 pm | Report abuse |
  13. s kel

    YOU HAVE ALLWAYS BEEN A LOSER SINCE BIRTH! YOUR JOKE FORM OF THINKING AND THE TEA GARBAGE RETORIC YOU PRAY TO IS THE DOWNFALL OF THIS COUNTRY!

    October 19, 2011 at 8:27 pm | Report abuse |
  14. s kel

    Ignorat right wing bit*h

    October 19, 2011 at 8:29 pm | Report abuse |
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