Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry clash over the topic of immigration during the presidential debate on Tuesday, October 18, in Las Vegas. Romney criticized Perry for interrupting him.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry clash over the topic of immigration during the presidential debate on Tuesday, October 18, in Las Vegas. Romney criticized Perry for interrupting him.
GOP presidential candidates met at the Western Republican Debate at the Sands Convention Center on Tuesday. The debate was hosted by CNN.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
GOP presidential candidates met at the Western Republican Debate at the Sands Convention Center on Tuesday. The debate was hosted by CNN.
The CNN Express bus is parked next to CNN's tent. Setup for the debate began over the weekend, and the candidates had a rehearsal Monday night.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
The CNN Express bus is parked next to CNN's tent. Setup for the debate began over the weekend, and the candidates had a rehearsal Monday night.
University of Nevada student Peter Galvan stands in for Herman Cain during Tuesday's debate rehearsal.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
University of Nevada student Peter Galvan stands in for Herman Cain during Tuesday's debate rehearsal.
The audience claps as CNN's Anderson Cooper introduces the candidates.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
The audience claps as CNN's Anderson Cooper introduces the candidates.
Cain, left, responds to a question as Romney looks on. The other six Republicans on stage -- who have watched Cain soar to the top of the polls in recent weeks -- were united in calling his 9-9-9 tax plan simplistic and risky.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Cain, left, responds to a question as Romney looks on. The other six Republicans on stage -- who have watched Cain soar to the top of the polls in recent weeks -- were united in calling his 9-9-9 tax plan simplistic and risky.
Former Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain greets the audience. GOP rivals took turns picking apart his 9-9-9 tax plan, which would throw out the current tax system and replace it with a 9% corporate income tax rate, a 9% income tax rate and a 9% national sales tax.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Former Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain greets the audience. GOP rivals took turns picking apart his 9-9-9 tax plan, which would throw out the current tax system and replace it with a 9% corporate income tax rate, a 9% income tax rate and a 9% national sales tax.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann greets debate watchers. "We need to repeal Obamacare, repeal the jobs and housing destruction act known as Dodd-Frank," Bachmann said. "President Obama's plan has been a plan for destruction for this economy and failure. I plan to change that."
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann greets debate watchers. "We need to repeal Obamacare, repeal the jobs and housing destruction act known as Dodd-Frank," Bachmann said. "President Obama's plan has been a plan for destruction for this economy and failure. I plan to change that."
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum questioned how Romney could repeal President Obama's health care plan because Romney passed a similar plan in Massachusetts.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum questioned how Romney could repeal President Obama's health care plan because Romney passed a similar plan in Massachusetts.
Rep. Ron Paul of Texas joined the candidates in attacking Cain's tax plan. "Herman, it's not going to fly. It's very, very dangerous," Paul said.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Rep. Ron Paul of Texas joined the candidates in attacking Cain's tax plan. "Herman, it's not going to fly. It's very, very dangerous," Paul said.
The GOP presidential candidates say the Pledge of Allegiance before the debate.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
The GOP presidential candidates say the Pledge of Allegiance before the debate.
Perry gives the thumbs up at rehearsal. The bad blood between Romney and Perry boiled over in the debate's first hour as the two GOP heavyweights traded harsh accusations and showed flashes of anger.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Perry gives the thumbs up at rehearsal. The bad blood between Romney and Perry boiled over in the debate's first hour as the two GOP heavyweights traded harsh accusations and showed flashes of anger.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, center, cautioned his rivals in the end to refocus their rhetoric or risk trivializing the campaign.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, center, cautioned his rivals in the end to refocus their rhetoric or risk trivializing the campaign.
CNN's Anderson Cooper moderates at the Western Republican Debate.
GOP debate in Las Vegas —
CNN's Anderson Cooper moderates at the Western Republican Debate.