Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul clashed over the Patriot Act at the start of Tuesday’s GOP debate

Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul clashed over the Patriot Act at the start of Tuesday’s debate for GOP presidential candidates, with Gingrich saying terrorism means “all of us will be in danger for the rest of our lives.”

Gingrich, the former House speaker, added that he would look at strengthening the Patriot Act if elected. Paul disagreed, saying “the Patriot Act is unpatriotic because it undermines our liberty.”

The CNN debate — focused on national security and foreign policy issues — is the first in which Gingrich is firmly among the front-runners in national surveys, in a virtual tie with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.