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. Ling Cho

    You amerikins berry berry funny. Vote for funny peopos. I fix you some crab rangoon. Beef ro mein. Mongorian chicken. It berry berry guuud.

    October 19, 2011 at 11:11 am | Report abuse |
    • ????

      Hi Cesar!

      October 19, 2011 at 2:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • JT

      You're an idiot. Probably some fat out of work white guy who's nephews are afraid of him and his "bad" touch.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
  2. nightshade.

    Maybe they should start putting these debate events on pay per view. Or at least on Comedy Central.

    October 19, 2011 at 11:20 am | Report abuse |
  3. Bimbo the Birthday Clown

    Allegedly, Sir John A MacDonald showed up drunk for one election debate in the 1800's and threw up at one point. He then blamed his opponents disgusting ideas.

    October 19, 2011 at 11:47 am | Report abuse |
  4. michaelfury

    http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/coke-or-pepsi/

    October 19, 2011 at 12:01 pm | Report abuse |
  5. michaelfury

    http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/09/13/what-truth-to-power-looks-like/

    October 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. bertha59

    Who would want either Perry or Romney as president? The video says it all.

    October 19, 2011 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Cary

    OMG, These are the GOP candidates? what a joke!!! Oh, and why is Cain wanting to raise taxes with his 9-9-9 idea??? That's wrong!

    October 19, 2011 at 1:42 pm | Report abuse |
    • Ellie Enlightened

      He isn't raising taxes get the facts. This is what I expect from a CNN website.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • really???

      Hey ellie, actually in a way he is raising taxes because the imposed tax would already be on top of your state taxes. If he adds a tax to a tax then there is an increases in taxes, ie "raising taxes". Hermain Cain Sucks!

      October 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Report abuse |
  8. fastball

    What a joke...the whole thing.
    The GOP wheels out the new and improved talking heads for another round. Like slugging heavyweights, they've undergone extensive coaching by their respective handlers – "you're behind...ya gotta go out there an GET 'EM! Hit 'em hard! The polls say you're too nice!!!".
    Seriously, a landscaping company that does lawns has illegal immigrants?? My jaw drops at the revelation. Do I personally inspect the ID's of every worker of every company I do business with??
    C'mon...that's garbage. If that's the best the Republicans can come up...heaven help you.

    October 19, 2011 at 1:52 pm | Report abuse |
  9. glenn

    Anderson is a joke. Stupid questions. Newt looked great because he clearly understands Mr. 360's goal. YES – THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MORMONS AND CHRISTIANS AND IT'S HUGE. But, why bring that crap up in a debate for the presidency?

    October 19, 2011 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse |
    • JT

      Anderson is genius. By letting them go at each other no-holds barred, he throws them a rope and gleefully watches them hang themselves.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
  10. gg

    if bush jr. can win can win twice best bet is to keep putting them out there

    October 19, 2011 at 1:57 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Robert

    Why are we teaching American children the Mexican anthem in public schools?

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC3xejOJyrI&w=640&h=390]

    October 19, 2011 at 1:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • Fnord

      What class was this? There's no reason to not teach anyone an anthem in a school if it's an educational learning experience.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:57 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobq

      because they prefer that children learn completely irrelevant useless information. god forbid children learn anything of any real value.

      October 19, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
  12. s kel

    look all 9-9-9 is really 6-6-6 all on there (gop so called debates) are demons.

    October 19, 2011 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
    • Sally

      Go __ yourself s kel. Nobody gives a __ about what you think loser.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Pat Smith

    I couldn't figure out what it was about Gov. Romney that bothered me. Watching last night's debate, I think I have finally figured it out that he is condescending.
    He smiles and speaks well but there is that looking down on the other
    candidates. It doesn't wear well.

    October 19, 2011 at 2:22 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Raul

    Robert,

    I grew up singing the Canadian national anthem every year in elementary school. I learned the Chinese national anthem when I learned Chinese. I have no problem with learning another country's national anthem. It can help you understand a bit of their people's psyche.

    For me, the problem with the video you posted is, if this is indeed a non-Spanish as a second language class in an American public school, they should be using English.

    October 19, 2011 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Leo Giordano

      ok i feel like this, if its in America they should be teachint the American anthum. if it is in spanish class then that is not something they should be teaching because we dont live in that country. but really dose it matter atleast the kids are learning to speak other langages. id rather see tehm teach the American anthum in spanish this way they are representing our lands in school not another country

      October 19, 2011 at 3:16 pm | Report abuse |
  15. mojtmad

    I watched the full GOP debate. Aside from Ron Paul, you are watching robots. Mr. Paul gave honest answers and he seems to genuine to the issues. The rest are marketing their product, and they done it poorly.

    October 19, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Fnord

      Don't be fooled- Ron Paul is marketing his agenda as well.

      October 19, 2011 at 2:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • NudeTruth

      You'd be a fool not to see that Ron Paul is the only honest politician with a track record to prove it running for Presidential Office.

      October 19, 2011 at 4:04 pm | Report abuse |
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