Eight GOP candidates faced off on a range of national security and foreign policy issues during a CNN sponsored debate Tuesday.
On Pakistan, feelings were mutual--America needs to stop playing nice. Front runner Mitt Romney went so far as to suggest Pakistan is living in the past.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MITT ROMNEY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"We need to bring Pakistan into the 21st century, or the 20th century for that matter so that they can engage throughout the world with trade with modernity."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEWT GINGRICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"...you tell the Pakistanis: help us, get out of the way, but don't complain if we kill people you're not willing to go after on your territory where you have been protecting them."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RICK PERRY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"They've showed us time after time that they can't be trusted and until Pakistan clearly shows that they have America's best interests in mind, I would not send them one penny."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHELE BACHMANN, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"... I do think the Obama policy of keeping your fingers crossed is not working in Pakistan and I also think that Pakistan as a nation is kind of like too nuclear to fail."
When it comes to protecting America from terrorists, some candidates expressed support for the controversial practice of racial profiling.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RICK SANTORUM, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"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 by and large as well as younger males, I mean these are things -- not exclusively, but these are things that you 'profile' to find the most likely candidate."
Others though were staunchly against depriving Americans of their civil rights.
SOUNDBITE) (English) RON PAUL, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:
"Today it seems too easy -- our government and our Congress are so willing to give up our liberties for our security. I have a personal belief that you never have to give up liberty for security; you can still provide security without sacrificing our Bill of Rights."
Overall, none of the candidates' made any major mis-steps.
Julie Noce, Reuters