Update (9:34 pm EST): On the issue of Iran all four candidates, except for Ron Paul, took a very strict stance saying they would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Santorum, Romney, and Gingrich all said they would use military options if necessary. Paul said he could not support military action at this time since it is not known if Iran actually has a nuclear weapon.
Update (9:26 pm EST): On the issue of women serving in combat roles, Romney said that he would support women's right to serve in whatever role they want. Paul said he believed in ending conflicts so that women would not need to serve in combat roles. Gingrich said he would agree with whatever decision was made by military leaders under him. Santorum said that he sees differences between men and women, and is still concerned about allowing women to serve in combat roles.
Update (9:10 pm EST): On the immigration issue Ron Paul refused to endorse any new mandates from the federal government. Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney both promised to secure the border. Romney stood by his previous stance of increasing enforcement against employers of undocumented immigrants, and thereby induce "self deportation."
Update (8:59 pm EST): After orginally complaining about the question, the candidates have now stayed on the subject of birth control and sex education for the last ten minutes. Santorum is taking the most heat on the subject for his support for Title X funding which partially went to Planned Parenthood and contraceptives coverage. Santorum defended his vote by arguing he also support Title XX, which provided funding for abstinence education. The crowd booed Santorum a few times during his various responses.
Update (8:49 pm EST): John King of CNN brought up birth control as the next issue for debate, and the crowd began to boo before the King could even finish the question. Gingrich quickly jumped on board with the crowd, and condemned King for even bringing up the question.
Update (8:41 pm EST): All four candidates opposed the auto bailout package passed by the President Bush and President Obama, even after what many consider to be the success of the bailouts given the large profits now made by the auto companies. Santorum and Gingrich attacked the United Auto Workers, claiming they were the real reason for the struggles of the companies pre-bailout.
Update (8:32 pm EST): All four candidates in some way defended the use of earmarks, though each criticized the others for accepting or fighting for earmarks. The last five minutes were a good illustation of why many Republican voters are unhappy with the current field.
Update (8:28 pm EST): Rick Santorum gave a lengthy and forceful defense of his congressional record, including his various votes for earmarks. At the end of his remarks there was a noticeable silence from the crowd, and a few scattered boos.
Update (8:17 pm EST): While sitting right beside Rick Santorum candidate Ron Paul stood by his criticism that Santorum is a "fake" conservative. Paul pointed toward Santorum's record in Congress, including his votes for foreign aid and No Child Left Behind.
Update (8:14 pm EST): The first question dealt with how to reduce the deficit. Both Romney and Santorum promised spending cuts to welfare programs. Santorum promised to not touch defense spending. Romney attacked Santorum for voting for a debt ceiling raise five times in his time in Congress.
Update (8:10 pm EST): The debate has begun. A live vide can be seen by clicking to the left.
Update (7:45 pm EST): President Obama has signed the payroll tax cut extension just an hour before the Republican debate begins. The measure is considered popular, and may serve as a reminder to some that the president actually lowered taxes on the vast majority of Americans.
In the beginning there were over ten, but now only four serious contenders remain. Tonight at 8 pm EST Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney will all take the stage in Mesa, Arizona for what may be the last debate of the Republican primary season. A preview of the debate can be read below. Live updates will also be posted below once the debate begins.
The Arizona debate is the last chance for any candidate to make impression before the crucial primaries in Michigan and Arizona next Tuesday. The latest polls have Santorum and Romney neck-and-neck in the two states, and Santorum has a slight lead nationally among Republican voters. Paul and Gingrich have both fallen far behind, so this may be their last hope to make a comeback before fading into electoral oblivion next week.
Santorum has been making the most news recently with his strong opposition to the Obama administration new contraceptive rule requiring health insurers to cover birth control in large group plans. All four candidates are likely to face questions on the subject, but the question is particularly important for Santorum given his Catholic background. Santorum is getting outspent by Romney in Michigan and Arizona, so the debate may be his best chance to score points against Romney without having to spend money.
Recently polls have shown Romney gaining on Santorum in Michigan and Arizona. Michigan is a must-win for Romney, since he was born and grew up in the state. Romney can presumably win with his money and organizational advantage, but any major gaffe in the debate may put his victory in question.
For Paul and Gingrich, the struggle is simply finding a way to make themselves relevant again. Santorum has victories in four states, and Romney can claim victories in New Hampshire and Florida. Gingrich won in South Carolina, but has fallen dramatically in the polls since that time. Paul has not won any major contests
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