John McCain, left, and Mitt Romney tangle in one of their many confrontations during the debate. At one point, an irritated Mike Huckabee, who is running a distant third place in the GOP contest, interjected: “I didn’t come here to umpire a ballgame between these two. I came here to get a chance to swing at a few myself.” (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
John McCain, left, and Mitt Romney state their cases in the GOP debate. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The four Republican candidates, at left, and the three moderators on stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
John McCain listens to Ron Paul in the GOP debate. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Mike Huckabee takes part in the debate. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The Republican presidential candidates: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, left, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
With Air Force One from President Reagan’s administration as a backdrop, people listen as the Republican presidential candidates debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near SImi Valley. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The candidates are seen through the windows of Air Force One. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
John McCain, left, greets former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Looking on are candidates Ron Paul, second from left, and Mike Huckabee. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, left, endorses John McCain before the GOP debate. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Rudolph W. Giuliani, who dropped out of the GOP presidential race, arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to watch the debate. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, arrive for the debate. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to endorse Sen. John McCain, arrives at the Reagan Library near Simi Valley. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Rep. Ron Paul of Texas arrives for the debate. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
