A spokesman for Mr Perry said that “few people in Iowa would dream of betting such an amount”. Aides to Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor, said they had registered the website 10KBet.com for future attacks. A spokesman added that Mr Romney had also been wrong about the health insurance issue. “I guess he owes Rick Perry $10,000,” he said. A spokesman for Mr Romney, Eric Fehrnstrom, claimed that it had been a “good moment” for the candidate. “Mitt Romney knew Rick Perry wouldn't take the bet because it's a phony attack,” said Mr Fehrnstrom. “By backing down, Perry looked weak.”