US Republicans Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty clashed repeatedly over their records during a presidential debate yesterday.
The fierce exchanges between the two Minnesotans highlighted a nationally televised presidential debate that also featured heavy criticism of president Barack Obama's economic leadership by eight Republican White House hopefuls.
The debate was the opening act for tomorrow's Iowa straw poll, a traditional test of campaign strength in the state that holds the first presidential nominating contest in 2012.
But the debate and straw poll were overshadowed by Texas Governor Rick Perry's plan to enter the race tomorrow, a move that could dramatically reshape the contest and vault him into the top tier of contenders with front-runner Mitt Romney.
In Iowa, Mr Pawlenty is desperately seeking to gain ground on Ms Bachmann, a conservative and Tea Party favourite who leads polls in the state. He wasted little time in ripping into her record in Congress.
"It's an indisputable fact that her record of accomplishment and results is nonexistent," said Mr Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota who was rebuked when he passed up an opportunity to criticise Mr Romney in the last debate.
He said Ms Bachmann, a US representative from Minnesota, had fought in Congress against spending, against the healthcare overhaul and against other initiatives that had passed despite her efforts.
"She said she's got a titanium spine. It's not her spine we're worried about, it's her record of results," he said. "If that's your view of effective leadership with results, please stop, because you're killing us."
Ms Bachmann responded by attacking Mr Pawlenty's record as governor, including his support for a state cap and trade environmental plan and for individual mandates in healthcare. "That sounds a lot more like Barack Obama if you ask me," she said.
He opponent retailiated by saying Ms Bachmann had "a record of misstating and making false statements."
The repeated clashes between the two contenders caused former Senator Rick Santorum to interrupt at one point and beg moderators of the debate to ask him a question.
Reuters