Romney 'declared winner' over Perry in Republican TV debate

Washington, Sept 24(ANI): Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has defeated his opponent and Texas Governor Rick Perry in the latest Republican television debate, which was hosted by the Fox News channel.

Though nine 2012 White House contenders participated in the debate, Romney and Perry, who are frontrunners runners in the race, captured headlines.

While, Perry advocated social security reform, Romney pointed out that he was retracting from his earlier criticism of the scheme, the BBC reports.

Perry said his stance on the issue had shifted "not one inch, sir", and added that Romney had changed his viewpoint on healthcare several times in editions of his book.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann also attacked Perry's immigration scheme, urging to " end the magnets for illegal aliens to come into the United States of America".

Former senator Rick Santorum accused Perry of being "soft" on immigration, while Romney said Texas' policy was equivalent to giving a 100,000 dollar credit to those children.

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson concluded the show, by saying: "My next-door neighbour's two dogs have created more shovel-ready jobs than this administration."

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Georgia businessman Herman Cain, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman Ron Paul and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson were among the participants. (ANI)