Second debate, better for Perry

AP Modified

Updated: Nov 12, 2011 10:23 PM

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry isn't forgetting about the Department of Energy this time around.
 
In Saturday's debate, Perry jokes about his gaffe from a debate four days ago, when he forgot the third Cabinet department he would eliminate if elected president.
 
Perry says he's glad moderator Scott Pelley of CBS News remembered to ask him about the Energy Department.
 
Pelly says he's had some time to think about it.
 
"Me too," Perry cracks back.
 
While some parts of the debate were humorous, the debate also touched on Guantanamo Bay.

Businessman Herman Cain, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Minnesota's Rep. Michele Bachmann all say they want to keep the prison open, allow the use of controversial techniques to interrogate terrorists and use military courts to try the terrorism suspects who are held there.
 
Gov. Rick Perry didn't address Guantanamo directly, but he says the U.S. should continue to use enhanced interrogation techniques to save American lives overseas.
 
President Barack Obama has been trying to close the prison since the early months of his presidency.

Republicans were debating for the second time in four days in South Carolina, the first-in-the-South primary state.

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