Don’t Slash Military Budget, GOP Contenders Say

The Republican presidential hopefuls have attempted to showcase their understanding of national security.

The eight candidates participated in a debate in Washington put on by CNN, the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation.

The debate ranged widely, from Iran's threat to develop a nuclear weapon to the anti-terror Patriot Act, the war in Afghanistan, U.S-Pakistan relations and illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. across the Mexican border. Former House Speaker

Newt Gingrich said some should be allowed to stay, drawing fire from rivals Mitt Romney and Michele Bachman.

The candidates were nearly unanimous in their opposition against deep cuts in the nation's defense budget.

Neither Gov. Rick Perry nor Mitt Romney specified if they support any cuts in the Pentagon's accounts, but Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman, one-time ambassador to China, both indicated the topic should be on the table as budget-cutters look for savings.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)