Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney Trade Shots at GOP Debate

In what was being built up as the first GOP debate to feature new Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson the focus shifted as Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney exchanged targeted attacks aimed at the other’s fiscal records.

The CNBC and The Wall Street Journal sponsored event brought together all nine GOP candidates but it quickly became a two-man show when Giuliani began criticizing Romney’s inability to control taxes while governor of Massachusetts.

Giuliani pointed to his own record of lowering taxes by 17 percent while he was mayor of New York and pointed to an 11 percent rise in taxes experienced by residents of Massachusetts. He told moderator Chris Matthews, “I led; he lagged.”

Romney was quick to call Giuliani out on his figures, “It’s baloney” and then said “Mayor, you’ve got to check your facts.” The former governor then pointed out that he had actually lowered taxes and said that his state spending grew at a slower rate than that of New York.

It wouldn’t have been a Republican debate without Ron Paul getting a few shots in about the Constitution. The Texas senator scolded Romney for a response regarding national security. After being asked a hypothetical question regarding the president’s need for Congressional approval before launching an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Romney said that he would consult with his attorneys before making that decision.

Ron Paul quickly pointed out that if Romney opened the Constitution he would see that the president must have Congress’s approval before carrying out an act of war.

For Fred Thompson the debate served as a means of becoming acclimated to the political climate he recently joined. While he was sparred any ribbing by his fellow GOP candidates he wasn’t exactly putting forth a commanding presence.

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