Fireworks erupt at Republican debate

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney angrily accused each other on Wednesday of failing to be tough enough on illegal immigration as fireworks erupted at a debate.

The CNN/YouTube debate was as close to a free-for-all as can be expected at such events. The candidates did not shy away from open confrontations with each other and the questions were submitted by the public on videotape.

At a tense time in the Republican field with little more than a month until Iowa starts the state-by-state U.S. election contests, Arizona Sen. John McCain accused Romney of supporting torture methods for terrorism suspects and ripped Texas Rep. Ron Paul for his demand to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq.