The third Republican debate of September was like the first two, as GOP frontrunners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney battled over familiar issues while the other candidates struggled to insert themselves between the feuding leaders.

"Nice try," Romney said dismissively at one point to Perry after the Texas Governor had jabbed at the only holdover from the 2008 GOP race.

"I actually wrote my book," Romney said to Perry, as the two men bickered again, at times to the complete exclusion of the other Republicans.

"Romney and Perry aren't going to be around because they're going to bludgeon each other to death," said Jon Huntsman.

The battle lines between Romney and Perry were very familiar, as Romney attacked on Social Security, illegal immigration and more.

"It's not the first time Mitt has been wrong," Perry said.

"I think Americans sometimes just don't know which Mitt Romney they're dealing with," Perry added.

"Governor Perry, you wrote a book six months ago," Romney said, taking aim at his next door debate neighbor. "And you're already retreating from the positions that were in that book."

"Not an inch, sir," Perry replied.

Perry's worst moment wasn't when he was under attack from Romney, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum or Ron Paul - instead Perry was his own worst enemy, as he got into a couple of verbal cul-de-sacs, where his answers just didn't seem to make sense, especially one on foreign policy involving Pakistan.

Some conservatives like Erick Erickson said they thought it was a disaster - it may be early to go that far - but since this has happened in earlier debates, it can't be ignored for the future.

All three debates, Perry has had his share of good lines - but in the second half of the debate, he almost seems to tire and get distracted - not a good combination.

As for the other candidates, they had their share of cheers, as supporters of Herman Cain were very encouraged by his performance.

Cain even took his first slap at one of the frontrunners, as Herman zinged Romney's economic plans, drawing big applause by saying "That dog won't hunt."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich also won a warm reception from the debate crowd when he said the "nothing will turn American around more" than the defeat of President Obama.

Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann joined to smack Perry again over the issue of giving in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants in Texas.

The crowd booed Perry at one point as he defended his decision, blasting his critics, saying "I don't think you have a heart."

All of the candidates get over two weeks to refine their lines and get ready for the next debate, which is set for October 11 at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.