DES MOINES, Iowa - Surging frontrunner Newt Gingrich fought off attacks in a presidential debate in Iowa at the weekend from Republican rivals, who portrayed him as a Washington insider and questioned his judgment.
Gingrich, described by some critics as rash and petulant, kept his cool as his Republican rivals criticised him for making up to $1.6- million (about R12.9 million) from housing giant Freddie Mac, for saying Palestinians were an "invented" people and for his troubled marital past.
Mitt Romney, the former frontrunner and once the presumed nominee, contrasted his business experience with Gingrich's background.
"We don't need folks who are lifetime Washington people," Romney said, adding his time as head of a private equity firm helped him understand how to turn around the economy and made him electable more than a Washington politician such as Gingrich.
But Romney may have hurt himself by challenging Texas Governor Rick Perry to a $10000 (about R80000 bet over healthcare in a quip that drew criticism of his as being out of touch with ordinary citizens in economic hard times.
It was the first debate since Gingrich roared past Romney to take a big lead in polls in the Republican battle to pick a 2012 challenger to President Barack Obama.
US representatives Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul criticised Gingrich as a hypocrite who profited from his contacts and pocketedtaxpayers' money when Freddie Mac was bailed out by the federal state.
"When you're taking money to influence the outcome of legislation, that's the epitome of establishment," Bachmann said.
The Republicans will debate again on Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa, in the final debate before their caucuses in January open the party's nominating race.
GOP rivals hit out at Gingrich
DES MOINES, Iowa - Surging frontrunner Newt Gingrich fought off attacks in a presidential debate in Iowa at the weekend from Republican rivals, who portrayed him as a Washington insider and questioned his judgment.
Gingrich, described by some critics as rash and petulant, kept his cool as his Republican rivals criticised him for making up to $1.6- million (about R12.9 million) from housing giant Freddie Mac, for saying Palestinians were an "invented" people and for his troubled marital past.
Mitt Romney, the former frontrunner and once the presumed nominee, contrasted his business experience with Gingrich's background.
"We don't need folks who are lifetime Washington people," Romney said, adding his time as head of a private equity firm helped him understand how to turn around the economy and made him electable more than a Washington politician such as Gingrich.
But Romney may have hurt himself by challenging Texas Governor Rick Perry to a $10000 (about R80000 bet over healthcare in a quip that drew criticism of his as being out of touch with ordinary citizens in economic hard times.
It was the first debate since Gingrich roared past Romney to take a big lead in polls in the Republican battle to pick a 2012 challenger to President Barack Obama.
US representatives Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul criticised Gingrich as a hypocrite who profited from his contacts and pocketedtaxpayers' money when Freddie Mac was bailed out by the federal state.
"When you're taking money to influence the outcome of legislation, that's the epitome of establishment," Bachmann said.
The Republicans will debate again on Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa, in the final debate before their caucuses in January open the party's nominating race.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos