"I recommend that everybody take $500 to the store and go buy food," he said. "It's a good investment and good protection."

A minute later, referring to jobs going overseas, Ferguson, who bills himself as not politically correct, said, "Have you dialed in to tech support lately and had Mujibar answer the phone?"

Delegates were grateful for the debate.

"It was very helpful to see them side by side," West Valley City's Joshua Jones said. "They're all conservative, so I'm looking for concrete plans, specific ideas. Seeing them interact was helpful. It speaks volumes about hwo they'll interact in D.C."

Orem's Matt Owens said the debate made the race closer in his mind.

"I've got a lot of work to do in the next seven days," he said.

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E-MAIL: twalch@desnews.com