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Last televised debate before next week's Florida primary
The four remaining contenders for the US Republican party's presidential nomination have taken part in their last televised debate before next week's Florida primary.
Front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich clashed fiercely especially on the issue of immigration.
Accused by the former House Speaker of being anti-immigrant, Mr Romney replied that such a statement was inexcusable.
"My father was born in Mexico ... the idea that I'm anti-immigrant is repulsive. Don't use a term like that", he added.
Mr Gingrich insisted that the US could not rationally deport millions of people and that some who had lived in the country for decades should be allowed to stay.
But he added some confusion to his position during the debate when he said that he would support some version of "self-deportation," the very issue he has criticised Mr Romney for supporting.
A neck-and-neck race for Florida and its importance for the Republican presidential nomination made for a combustible atmosphere at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Both candidates are running close in polls before next Tuesday's primary vote in Florida, the biggest state to vote so far.
The most recent polls put Mr Romney ahead.
Each of the first three nominating contests had different winners -former senator Rick Santorum in Iowa, Mr Romney in New Hampshire and then Mr Gingrich in South Carolina.
The fourth contender, Texas congressman Ron Paul came in third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire.
- Keywords:
- florida primary,
- republican,
- mitt romney,
- newt gingrich
