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Chris Christie Scraps With Rand Paul Over NSA Surveillance

Chris Christie and Rand Paul clashed during the first Republican primary debate over government surveillance.
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Christie vs. Paul on security vs. freedom. (Video via Fox News)

Christie told Paul "When you're sitting in a subcommittee blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that."

Paul shot back, "You fundamentally misunderstand the Bill of Rights. ... I know you gave him a big hug, if you want to give him a big hug again, go right ahead."

Christie often invokes 9/11 on the subject. "You can't enjoy your civil liberties if you're in a coffin."

Fighting government surveillance is a critical part of Paul's libertarian credentials.

But it might not play as well with base GOP voters.

This video includes an image from Getty Images and music from Chris Zabriskie / CC BY 4.0.