Republican candidate battle gets dirty

Rick Perry and Mitt Romney clashed once again almost immediately during the televised Republican debate.

Romney cast aside his image as the bland nice guy, aiming his attacks sharply at his opponent.

He demanded but failed to get an answer from Governor Perry over whether he still thought the US social security system was a failure and should not be a federal programme.

Perry did not answer directly, able to take cover under a supportive audience.

Later, Romney pointedly claimed Perry's record as a governor in Texas was to a great extent down to chance.

"I think that Governor Perry would agree if you're dealt four aces that doesn't make you a great poker player," he said.

The debate was jointly organised by CNN and Tea Party support groups.

Perry and Tea Party cheerleader Michelle Bachmann were able to play to the crowd.

"I would suggest to you that people are tired of spending money that we don't have on things that we don't want," said Perry.

Bachmann promised she had the "backbone" to do what was required to balance the budget.

The second big spat of the evening came as the congresswoman returned to fiery form launching a stinging attack on how Perry ordered teenage girls to be vaccinated against the HPV virus that can lead to cervical cancer.

She said the measure was "flat out wrong, that should never be done".

And she insinuated there was a connection between the decision and a contribution to Perry by the drug company that made the vaccine.

Governor Perry said he was offended by the suggestion.

Bachmann has sustained serious damage thanks to Perry's rise in the polls, losing backing to him in her own Tea Party constituency.

But in this debate she fought back robustly.

She also laid into Romney for his record reforming healthcare as governor of Massachusetts.

She said she was the only candidate really committed to uprooting Obamacare, Obama's healthcare reform programme.

She added that anyone who introduced something similar as governor could not say the same.

The event had the atmosphere and garish set of a round of American Idol.

But none of these Republican contestants gets knocked out for months in what is looking like a long and protracted battle.