calling imping gingrich's proposal -- >> people respond to incentives and if you can become a permanent resident of the united states by coming here illegally, you'll do so. >> reporter: national security and foreign policy dominated the agenda, but the candidates also discussed congress' failure to reduce a deficit reduction deal this week, putting the blame on president obama. >> we have a president of the united states who is not a leader. he pitched this over to them and said, here, y'all figure this out. >> reporter: rick perry and mitt romney slammed potential budget cuts the pentagon is now facing as a result. other contenders were open to trimming military spending in order to bring down the deficit. >> everything has got to be on the table. the defense department has got to be on the table, for heaven's sake. >> reporter: the candidates have just six weeks to go before the iowa caucuses, the first chance for voters to officially make their presidential pick. and there were definitely fewer fireworks in this debate. all of the candidates were not allowed to answer any one questi