CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Sen. Fred Thompson attacked two of his rivals on abortion and taxes in his own video played during the CNN/YouTube debate Wednesday night.

In his presentation, Thompson included old clips of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney saying that he thought abortion should be "safe and legal" and of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee saying that a surcharge on income taxes is "acceptable." But CNN moderator Anderson Cooper decided to hold off on a planned commercial break to give the candidates a chance to respond.

"Actually, given the nature of that video, we're not going to go to break right now," Cooper said. "I think it's something we should talk about. Sen. Thompson, what's up with that?"

"I want to give my buddies here a little extra air time," Thompson said. "I mean, what's - what do you mean what's up with that, these are their words."

Each campaign prepared a :30 second video that was played during the debate.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich