The gloves came off Thursday night as Republican presidential hopefuls clashed in an Iowa debate that for many candidates serves as a warm-up for Saturday's straw poll in Ames.
The debate started with a question for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota about her claim that the economy could be turned around in a single quarter. The Minnesota congresswoman, a favorite of the tea party, used the opportunity to slam President Barack Obama on the economy and to bash Congress for raising the federal debt ceiling. Bachmann had a single message for Obama: You are finished in 2012, she said.
Focus then turned to former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination despite downplaying the Ames straw poll. We are inches away from no longer having a free economy, insisted Romney, who also took aim at Obama on the economy.
Other candidates also weighed in on how to improve the economy. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas slammed the recent deal to raise the federal debt ceiling, arguing that it did not cut federal spending. Businessman Herman Cain promised to cut taxes.
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty took aim at his fellow Minnesotan. He argued that Bachmanns record of accomplishment in Congress was nonexistent and hammered her as an ineffective legislator. Bachmann fired back, bashing Pawlenty for supporting cap-and-trade legislation and the individual mandate.
Asked by Chris Wallace of Fox News, who was one of the moderators of the debate, about the internal problems his campaign was having, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich attacked the press for its focus on unimportant matters instead of policy. "I campaign on ideas," insisted Gingrich.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, making his debut in the debates, defended his service as ambassador to China under Obama. Huntsman insisted he would always serve his country.
The debate turned to immigration with Huntsman promising to defend the border and Romney pledging to crack down on businesses that hire illegal aliens. Paul said he was opposed to forcing the states to provide services for illegal immigrants and argued that America was too focused on the Middle East and not on securing the border with Mexico.
Gingrich took aim at Obama for not being able to deliver on immigration reform. "He rammed through Obamacare, but he couldn't get through immigration, said Gingrich.
The debate then turned toward taxes and Romney attempted to defend his record in Massachusetts to raise taxes to upgrade the S&P rating for the state. Pawlenty said he made a mistake during his tenure in Minnesota in raising taxes on cigarettes.
Pawlentys record on taxes led to a second round between the two candidates from Minnesota.Bachmann used the opportunity to rip into Pawlenty for cutting a deal. Pawlenty quickly fired back on the congresswoman, saying Bachmann was misleading viewers.
The moderators then turned to former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Santorum said he would not raise taxes and would work to cut spending if he was elected. The problem is in spending, not taxes, insisted Santorum.
All of the candidates save Huntsman who had kind words for U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, came out against the deal to raise the federal debt ceiling before the debate turned to health care.
Unlike a debate that took place in New Hampshire in June, Pawlenty opened fire on Romney for backing a state health-care program that relied on using an individual mandate.
"I think I liked Tim's answer at the last debate better," replied a smiling Romney, who insisted he opposed the federal health-care law. I think we have to repeal Obamacare.
Romney defended the law he signed in Massachusetts. "The right answer in every state is to determine what is right for those states," said Romney.
Taking aim at both Obama and Romney, Bachmann argued that the government -- be it at the federal or state level -- could not force a citizen to purchase a product.
Santorum argued that the states could go too far in imposing laws, and brought up same-sex marriage as an example.
The debate then had a quick intermission before turning to two candidates who have not yet entered the race: Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is now expected to announce his candidacy on Saturday, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who will be in Iowa on Friday.
Bachmann refused to bite when asked if she has a rivalry with Palin.I like Sarah Palin a lot, insisted Bachmann.
The candidates ripped into Perry with Paul arguing that his fellow Texan represents the status quo.
Thats just one more politician, Cain said about Perry.
We all need prayers, and he offers a lot, Huntsman said about Perry entering the race.
The debate then turned to foreign policy, with both Romney and Pawlenty taking aim at Obamas policy in Afghanistan and Huntsman warning about foreign enemies attacking America through hacking and other cybercrimes. As he did throughout both his 2008 bid and his current campaign, Paul warned about America being overcommitted abroad.
A policy of peace is free trade," Paul said. Just bring our troops home.
Santorum ripped into Pauls positions and they clashed over American policy in regard to Iran.
"It's time to quit these wars!" Paul said to a cheering crowd.
Bachmann drew a line in the sand, insisting that the U.S. should ensure that Iran never gains nuclear weapons.
As president of the United States, I will do everything to make sure Iran does not become a nuclear power, said Bachmann.
The debate turned to social issues with both Cain and Gingrich backing loyalty oaths.
"I think we owe it to ourselves to make sure people are committed to the Constitution of America first, insisted Cain.
There is nothing illegitimate about seeking to make sure that people are loyal to the United States, said Gingrich, arguing that government employees should take loyalty oaths.
Romney, who had argued earlier in the debate that states had the right to determine health care, came out in support of a constitutional amendment to ensure marriage is between a man and a woman. "Marriage is a status, said Romney. It's not an activity."
Huntsman defended civil unions but said they needed to be subordinate to traditional marriage.
Bachmann dismissed a question from Byron York, formerly of the conservative American Spectator and now with the Washington Examiner, asking her if she would be submissive to her husband. The congresswoman cheerfully replied with strong words of praise for her husband and their marriage.
Santorum went after Paul, who insisted marriage should be left to the states, once again. "It sounds to me like Rep. Paul says that polygamy would be OK, said Santorum.
With the debate winding down, Romney looked to take aim once again at Obama on the economy. "The most important thing we're talking about tonight is being sure that President Obama is replaced by someone who knows how to get the economy going again, said Romney.
Huntsman, who is planning to be in New Hampshire on Saturday when the rest of the candidates focus on Ames, ripped into the EPA under Obama for unleashing a regulatory reign of terror."
Bachmann also looked to close the debate by stressing her conservative credentials, once again reminding viewers of her opposition to raising the federal debt ceiling.
"It was very important that we not raise the debt ceiling," insisted Bachmann. I think the analysts we just heard from, Standard and Poor's, they said we don't have the ability to repay the debt."
Santorum took aim at Bachmann, arguing that her actions on the debt ceiling were showmanship, not leadership.
As the last round of questions continued, the candidates touched on several topics.
Gingrich was asked if the Federal Reserve needed to be abolished. "The Fed should be totally audited," said Gingrich, though he did not call for getting rid of it. We should know who they bailed out, and why they bailed them out.
Paul repeated his call to abolish the Federal Reserve, arguing that it can be phased out over time.
Huntsman called for abolishing No Child Left Behind and expanding school choice opportunities.
The candidates were given 30 seconds to close. Santorum praised Iowa and talked about his three-week tour of the state. Cain highlighted his business experience. Paul called for increased liberty through peace, prosperity and less government regulation. Romney once again criticized Obama on the economy while Bachmann urged Iowans to help defeat the president in 2012. Pawlenty called for new and conservative leadership.
Ending his first debate appearance, Huntsmanwarned about the federal debt. "We have a cancer growing in this country called debt and we must deal realistically with it," said Huntsman. "Obama won in 2008 on hope. I'm going to win in 2012 on solutions"
Gingrich called upon Americans to demand Congress end their recess and work on the economy. "We need real leadership now, said Gingrich.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
