Political heavyweights squared off Friday at Regent University's sixth annual "Clash of the Titans" debate.
The topic: Election 2008 - which party is best suited to lead America?"
NBC's Nora O'Donnel moderated the debate, which started off light heartedly.
"I'm just curious any conservatives here? I'm in big, big trouble," Fox News's Alan Colmes joked.
But the discussion quickly turned to major issues - like abortion.
"You talk about the sanctify of life; Would that apply to starting a war in Iraq a country that was never a threat to the U.S. where innocent civilians die?" Colmes challenged.
Mike Huckabee responded, "The difference between a war that is primarily designed to protect innocent people from being slaughtered is a very different thing from an individual making a decision to terminate another life because a life has gotten in the way of another."
The panelists also duked it out over taxes where 'Joe the Plumber's' name came up.
"Under Senator Obama's plan Joe will be paying zero capital gains taxes on his investment if he owned that small business. Under John McCain's plan he'll continue," former Al Gore campaign manager Donna Brazille.
Former GOP Senator Rick Santorum countered, "Should we be raising taxes that do not result in more revenue to the federal government, simply because it is - quote - fair?"
The debate also took on other key disagreements between the parties such Supreme Court nominees and national security.
"From my point of view as a progressive liberal Democrat, I'd rather see Barack Obama nominate justices than John McCain which I think will then sway the court too far to the right," Colmes said.
On the matter of national security Steve Forbes said. "I think in addition to national security where John McCain has enormous experience and knowledge given he's been through, he knows what war is like, knows how it should be should done."
Despite the political differences, Huckabee summed up something he believes many can agree on.
"Here's my pledge," Huckabee said. "If he's elected, I'll pray for him every day, and pray that he's a good President."