Caliing for Abolition of Circuit Court, Newt Gingrich Praises FDR

Newt Gingrich exposed a streak of latent liberalism when he praised Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt while calling for the abolition of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.

Mitt Romney also was questioned closely at Thursday night's Fox debate for having passed over several Republicans in favor of nominating Democrats to judicial posts while governor of Massachusetts.

By contrast, Michele Bachmann scored points with the Sioux City debate audience when she applauded Iowans for unseating three judges who had overruled voters and approved gay marriage from the bench.

"People think the courts are the final arbiter of law. The founders wanted courts to be the least powerful branch. People need to hold onto their representation," the Minnesota congresswoman said.