Gingrich gambles with immigration stance

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich debuted as the front-runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday in a debate over foreign policy in which Gingrich and seven other contenders differentiated themselves on the Afghan war, illegal immigration and the Patriot Act.

Gingrich appeared unfazed by his elevated status in the first debate held in Washington, D.C., in 50 years., articulating a strong foreign policy acumen and chiming in with lengthy, explanatory responses as if schooling other candidates on whether the Patriot Act should be continued or aid to Pakistan suspended.