Rick Perry under fire on Republican debate debut

[Gerald]

Rick Perry: "Anyone that is involved in the status quo with regards to social security today is involved in a monstrous lie to our kids and it's not right"

Rivals for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 have faced off in a debate at the Reagan Presidential Library in California.

Texas Governor Rick Perry, new to the debate cast, sparred with ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney over their records on job-creation.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann reprised her belief that President Obama's healthcare policy was a "job-killer".

And Mr Perry called the US pension pot, Social Security, a "ponzi scheme".

As well as the three leading contenders, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, businessman Herman Cain, Congressman Ron Paul, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and ex-Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum also took part.

The debate is one of three scheduled in the coming weeks, and analysts say the Republican field is likely to thin out in the coming months. The 2012 primary season is not expected to begin until February.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14831124

Note: 8 September 2011 Last updated at 02:54 GMT