CNN Republican debate: 5 of the most controversial moments (VIDEO)
Republican presidential candidates arrive on stage prior to the start of the Republican presidential debate on national security November 22, 2011 at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. The debate is hosted by CNN in partnership with the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. From left are: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum; Texas Rep. Ron Paul; Texas Gov. Rick Perry; former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney; businessman Herman Cain; for House speaker Newt Gingrich; Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann; and former Utah governor Jon Huntsman.
The Republican candidates battled it out Tuesday night during the CNN GOP debate. The eight candidates differed on a range of issues, all focused on national security, immigration or foreign policy.
The CNN debate had many controversial moments. It was hard to choose only five. Here's what we came up with. Leave your suggestions for the most controverisal moments in the comments section below.
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Michele Bachmann on the Patriot Act and civil rights:
“We have to realize we're in a very different war … When the bomber – or the attempted bomber over Detroit, the underwear bomber was intercepted, he was given Miranda warnings within 45 minutes. He was not an American citizen. We don't give Miranda warnings to terrorists, and we don't read them their rights. They don't have any.”
Rick Santorum couldn’t quite get his geography right when explaining his stance on giving US aid to fight AIDS and malaria in Africa:
“Africa was a country on the brink. On the brink of complete meltdown and chaos.”
Mitt Romney on immigration:
“I'd staple a green card to the diploma of anybody who's got a degree of math, science, a Masters degree, Ph.D. We want those brains in our country."
Herman Cain on those pesky mountains in Iran:
Moderator:
If Israel attacked Iran to prevent Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, would you help Israel launch the attack or support it otherwise?Herman Cain
"Remember, when you talk about attacking Iran, it is a very mountainous region. …I stated if the mission and the plan were clear, that it could succeed, but I pointed out that that is highly unlikely, given the terrain, the mountainous terrain in Iran."
Last and certainly not least, Rick Santorum on his support for religious profiling:
"Well, the folks who are most likely to be committing these crimes. If you look at – I mean, obviously, it was – obviously, Muslims would be – would be someone you'd look at, absolutely. Those are the folks who are – the radical Muslims are the people that are committing these crimes, as we've – by and large, as well as younger males."
VIDEO: CNN GOP debate memorable moments
What did we miss? Share your suggestions for the most controversial comments below.