GOP hopefuls debate security, immigration

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential hopefuls warned in near unanimity against deep cuts in the nation's defense budget last night, assailing President Barack Obama in campaign debate but disagreeing over the extent of reductions the Pentagon should absorb to reduce deficits and repair the frail U.S. economy.

The debate ranged widely, from Iran's threat to develop a nuclear weapon to the anti-terror Patriot Act, the war in Afghanistan, U.S-Pakistan relations and illegal immigrants. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said some should be allowed to stay, drawing fire from rivals Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann.

On defense spending, former Massachusetts Gov. Romney said nearly $1 trillion in cuts are on the horizon for the Pentagon in the next decade, noting it is the same as the cost for the new health care law. "We need to protect America and protect our troops and our military and stop the idea of Obamacare," he said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was harshly critical of the magnitude of potential cuts, saying the administration's Pentagon chief had called them irresponsible. "If Leon Panetta is an honorable man, he should resign in protest," Perry said.

Gingrich and Jon Huntsman, one-time ambassador to China, both indicated the topic should be on the table as budget-cutters look for savings. "It's clear that there are some things you can do to defense that are less expensive," Gingrich said.

Only Rep. Ron Paul of Texas sounded unperturbed, saying that despite ominous talk, lawmakers are considering only reductions in future military growth, not actual cuts.

Gingrich has emerged as Romney's principal rival atop the public opinion polls. The would-be commanders in chief debated a mere six weeks before the Iowa caucuses. The DAR Constitution Hall was the site, a few blocks from the White House and as close as most of the GOP hopefuls are likely to get.

On immigration, Gingrich said: "If you've been here 25 years and you got three kids and two grandkids, you've been paying taxes and obeying the law, you belong to a local church, I don't think we're going to separate you from your family, uproot you forcefully and kick you out," he said.

Romney and Rep. Bachmann strongly differed. "I don't agree that you would make 11 million workers legal, because that, in effect is amnesty," she said.

Several Republicans spoke up strongly for the anti-terror Patriot Act. Only Rep. Paul dissented, arguing that the law is "unpatriotic because it undermines our liberties."

Bachmann said Obama has "essentially handed over our investigation of terrorists to the" American Civil Liberties Union. "Our CIA has no ability to investigate," she said. She did not cite examples to buttress her claims.