CBS 5 - KPHO GOP debate may mark turning point in campaign

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have traded verbal punches about health care, spending earmarks and federal bailouts in Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate in Mesa.

Santorum, who has surged in the polls, got booed when he talked about voting for the No Child Left Behind law even though he opposed it.

With pivotal primaries in Arizona and Michigan just six days away, with 10 more contests a week later, Romney and Santorum sparred more aggressively than in past debates, sometimes talking over each other's answers.

All four Republicans, including Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, attacked President Barack Obama for his handling of Iran and its attempt to develop a nuclear program.

All four also opposed the federal bailout of the auto industry in 2008 and 2009.

On the issue of illegal immigration, Gingrich said he would devote as many resources as necessary to securing the U.S.'s southern border and that he would build two separate fences at the border to make it more difficult to cross illegally. He also said he'd send thousands more employees of the Homeland Security Department to border areas.

Romney said he would put more resources into securing the border and support programs that make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. He says Arizona's approach to illegal immigration is a "model" for the country.

Santorum said he would also beef up efforts to combat illegal immigration.

Earlier in the day, each candidate tried to gain momentum in Arizona going into the highly-anticipated debate.

Romney held a grassroots rally in Chandler on Wednesday morning where he was flocked by supporters at the Tri-City Christian Academy.

The rally followed Romney's announcement that he would cut income tax rates across the board, including cutting taxes for top earners. Romney hasn't said how his plan would be funded.

Santorum acknowledged Wednesday that he's probably running behind Romney in Arizona, but he implored a tea party crowd in Tucson not to settle for "a Johnny-come-lately to the conservative cause."

The former Pennsylvania senator told 400 people that Romney proposed a lower corporate tax rate long after Santorum had done so.

"Welcome to the party, governor. It's great to have you along," Santorum said as the crowd hooted and cheered.

Polls show Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, running ahead in Arizona, where a strong Mormon presence should help in Tuesday's GOP presidential primary.

The latest CNN/Time poll numbers show Romney has 36 percent and Santorum 32 percent of registered Arizona Republicans.  That's much closer than it has been and since the poll has a margin of error of about 4 percent, the two are basically in a dead heat.

Santorum urged the crowd not to accept "a pyrrhic victory," which he says would be the result and come at too great a cost if the party settles for Romney because he is seen as having a better chance at defeating President Barack Obama.

Paul also garnered support at a fundraiser lunch in Mesa.

Paul signed autographs and posed for pictures with supporters.

The fundraiser luncheon took place at the Hilton near Alma School Road off highway 60.

Newt Gingrich's wife represented him at an elementary school in Gilbert. Callista Gingrich toured the Chaparral School to visit some of the children there.

She also sat down and read the book "Sweet Land of Liberty" in one of the classrooms.

For the candidates, tonight's debate will help set the tone for the rest of the primary.. not only for momentum, but for delegates as well.

Arizona is a winner-take-all state, meaning all 29 delegates will go whoever wins next Tuesday's election.

The state used to have 58 delegates, but because Arizona moved its primary up, the state forfeited half the delegates.

But here's where things get messy. If a candidate fails to win 1,144 delegates - and that is a real possibility - then the nomination process becomes brokered and delegates are released from their binding.

Arizona's state law requires delegates in that instance to use their "best efforts" to support the statewide winner.

Copyright 2012 KPHO (Meredith Corporation).  All rights reserved.  The Associated Press contributed to this story.