Digesting The GOP Debate And Mitt Romney's First TV Ad

04:44

November 23, 2011

Republican presidential candidates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and businessman Herman Cain listen to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at a Republican presidential debate in Washington. (AP)

The Republican candidates for president sparred over immigration, the Patriot Act and profiling during Tuesday night's debate in Washington, DC.

One of the big moments featured the latest frontrunner, Newt Gingrich, saying he would allow some illegal immigrants who have been here for decades paying taxes, to remain in the country.

The other big political story is Mitt Romney's first TV ad, running in New Hampshire, which includes a comment, taken out of context, from President Obama during the run-up to the 2008 presidential election.

Mitt Romney's ad quotes President Obama as saying "If we keep talking about the economy we're going to lose."

But what President Obama really said was "Senator McCain's campaign actually said and I quote: 'If we keep talking about the economy we're going to lose.'"

Michael Steele, Former Chair of the RNC said that this is politics and the Romney ad is fair play. But Democratic strategist Bob Shrum says the ad is a lie.

YouTube: CNN Debunks Romney Ad

Guest:

Rick Klein, senior Washington Editor for ABC World New and host of the political webcast "Top Line."

This segment aired on November 23, 2011.