Perry spars with rivals in third debate

Thursday night's debate in Orlando between the large spread of Republican presidential hopefuls saw Texas Governor Rick Perry fend off attacks from challengers who are anxious to cut his lead. 

ORLANDO, FL (Catholic Online) - Despite the well-prepared and pointed attacks, some post debate analysis claims Perry seemed ready, others strongly disagreed.Interestingly, the newest "icon" of political punditry "Politico" had very positive words for the performance of Rick Santorum. Many felt Michelle Bachmann failed to seize her opportunity to shine.  

Perry and Romney immediately went at it over the issue of Social Security. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney reassured Americans who were close to retirement or already on Social Security that they needn't worry because the program would still be there.

Perry replied that he only said that the current system should be operated by the states. Romney pointed out an earlier statement by Perry in which Perry wrote that the federal government shouldn't be in the pension business and that it was unconstitutional. Perry has had to defend himself since referring to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme." 

New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson got laughs when he attacked President Obama's statement about "shovel-ready jobs." He said, " My next-door neighbor's two dogs have created more shovel-ready jobs than this current administration." 

Perry was also on the defensive on the issue of illegal immigration. Romney discussed his calculation that illegal immigrants paying in-state tuition in Texas save almost $100,000 over four years. He pointed out that citizens who attended school in Texas from out of state would have to pay much more than an illegal immigrant. "That doesn't make sense to me," he said.

Perry touted his immigration record, saying he supported tough policies such as those that were passed, and subsequently struck down by the courts, in Arizona. Perry continued by saying he had more experience than any other candidate on immigration. 

Perry claimed that subsidizing the education of illegal immigrants in Texas prevented them from being a drag on the economy. He also criticized calls for the construction of a border fence with Mexico. He said instead that "boots on the ground" were needed instead of a wall. 

Bachmann also sparred with Perry on the issue of mandatory vaccination for girls in Texas. Perry repeated that, "I erred on the side of life and I will always err on the side of life as a governor as the president of the United States."

Perry's position on the death penalty was not discussed.

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