Fireworks likely at Republican debate in Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidates headed into a CNN/YouTube debate on Wednesday bickering over illegal immigration and taxes while looking for ways to break out of the pack.

Plenty of fireworks were expected at the event, whose unusual format -- tech-savvy citizens sending in often-comical questions via video -- will likely play a prominent role.

The last CNN/YouTube debate, involving the Democrats, featured among the quirky questions a snowman asking about global warming. Republicans were initially reluctant to participate in one of their own.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, leading national polls, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, at the top of polls in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, in recent days have engaged in a withering cross-fire over such issues as illegal immigration and taxes and spending.

Each accused the other of either increasing taxes in their home regions or turning a blind eye to illegal immigration -- two hot-button issues for Republicans. They have also each declared the other a Republican version of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Some experts wonder if the bitter back-and-forth will drive voters toward another candidate, such as Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee or former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, all of whom are portraying themselves as the real conservative in the November 2008 presidential race.

"Challenging an opponent like that scores points, but it also drives voters away from both of you and builds up a third party," said Republican strategist Scott Reed.

Amid U.S. recession fears, Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella pointed to a study that showed job growth lagging in Massachusetts.

"I guess the now-Democratic governor has a lot of work to do," she said.

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said he expected Romney's rivals at the debate to "view it as an opportunity to tear away at the governor."

"We have seen that side of Mayor Giuliani lately, and will likely see it again tonight," he said.

Madden said Romney has differences with Giuliani on immigration and gay rights and would draw that contrast at the debate.

The McCain campaign said the Arizona senator would tout himself as the most experienced candidate. "He'll further highlight the fact that he's the only conservative that can beat Hillary Clinton in the general election," said spokesman Brian Rogers.

CNN said it got about 5,000 questions through YouTube, 2,000 more than for the July 23 Democratic debate. They have cut that to about 70 questions for the debate and they hope to get about 40 questions on the air.

Romney could face a question about his Mormon faith, a week after a negative polling tactic was used against him in Iowa and New Hampshire calling attention to his religion.

Mormon leaders have spent decades trying to counter critics who dismiss the faith as a cult and a threat to Christianity. Several YouTube questions submitted asked Romney about his faith, but whether one of them would be used was unclear.

Iowa on January 3 holds the first of the state-by-state contests to determine which Republican and Democrat will face off in the November 4, 2008, election. New Hampshire is on January 8.

Romney has a narrow lead over Huckabee in Iowa, and many experts consider it a must-win state for him.

"Romney is getting limited traction for his candidacy in key states like Iowa despite investing heavily in media advertising there," said Costa Panagopoulos, a political expert at Fordham University in New York.

Florida's January 29 primary is an important milestone for Giuliani, who leads the polls in the state.

But a CNN/Opinion research poll released this week said only 32 percent of Florida voters had definitely made up their minds, which could spell trouble for Giuliani if he limps into the state after losing both Iowa and New Hampshire.

"Rudy's an artificial front-runner," said Reed. "He's been leading in the national polls since February and he's at odds with the base of the party. Can he maintain that level of support for the next 45, or 60 days?"

(Additional reporting by Robert Green; Editing by David Wiessler)