Live blog: Sioux City Debate

Boston.com Politics Editor Glen Johnson is live-blogging the GOP debate. Feel free to make comments and ask questions.

What is ELECTABILITY? I believe everyone on the stage is electable according to the Constitution.

by Dan Osterman edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 12/16/2011 2:19:42 AM
Ah Gingrich, if I hadn't lived it. I would believe him. #IowaDebate

by etcpolitics via twitter 12/16/2011 2:20:05 AM
Huntsman: "Leadership is action, not words." Cites work as Utah governor and work on a flat-tax proposal.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:20:51 AM
electability = Ron Paul, consistent, practices what he preaches

by wademus 12/16/2011 2:21:09 AM
I agree Dan

by DMG73192 12/16/2011 2:21:16 AM
So, now, heading for first commercial, Fox is asking how well the candidates are answering questions. What do you think

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:21:25 AM
Americans seem to hate the candidates of both parties equally. If Ron Paul pisses off both the Republican & the Democratic establishment, that might be enough to get a lot of people to vote for him. What we have doesn't seem to be working and our worst scenario is where the people decide that crazy is better than their alternatives.

by johninprovidence 12/16/2011 2:21:32 AM
great answer from @MicheleBachmann. "we aren't going to add one more dime to the debt." #iowadebate

by PruPaine via twitter 12/16/2011 2:21:40 AM
People want a person who can govern not a lone ranger like paul

by gary from N.J. the people... 12/16/2011 2:21:48 AM
Great "been there, done that" answers from @newtgingrich. Experience matters. #iowadebate

by amandahardylove via twitter 12/16/2011 2:21:50 AM
Everyone in this debate is having a strong performance so far. From Bachmann to Gingrich #iowadebate

by ChrisCrawfordnh via twitter 12/16/2011 2:22:03 AM
@ Dan Osterman We aren't talking about whether they are constitutionally eligible for the office, but whether they stand a reasonable chance of winning the general election. For most of the candidates on the stage tonight the answer to that question is no.

by James 12/16/2011 2:22:03 AM
This is sad; no one on stage seems equipped to debate President Obama.

by Denise edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 12/16/2011 2:23:33 AM
this has all the trappings of a celebrity game show from the 70's. the format is too jumpy. coming up- lightening round! #iowadebate

by specialnerd via twitter 12/16/2011 2:25:06 AM
#RonPaul is totally winning the FoxNews Twitter-stakes. t.co

by Jim Roberts via twitter 12/16/2011 2:25:24 AM
We're coming back now, with a message from Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:25:48 AM
#iowadebate Candidates all looking Great! It gives me hope that we can turn the country away from the #Obama socialist destruction

by richard_77777 via twitter 12/16/2011 2:26:11 AM
Michelle Bachman is a gem too bad she's been demonized. Would love her values to be leading our country!

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:26:15 AM
Paul is simply too extreme...like the Taliban...too eccentric to govern but nice to listen to.

by gary from N.J. the people... 12/16/2011 2:26:22 AM
Newspaper “companies” are exempt from campaign laws. Should individuals and groups of individuals enjoy the same exemption? @BRETBAIER

by BenDoubleCrossd 12/16/2011 2:26:38 AM
Denise, Newt would rip Obama in a debat, IMHO. And we know Obama is a capable debater.

by Robin 12/16/2011 2:26:54 AM
Chris Wallace to Mitt Romney: Gingrich says you should give back money you made "bankrupting companies." Are you vulnerable on that attack?

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:26:56 AM
@gary from NJ...RP is NOT about no governing he is about only having State government....not federal

by 4RonPaul12 12/16/2011 2:27:00 AM
ron paul would crush obama

by wademus 12/16/2011 2:27:12 AM
Ron Paul really needs to capitalize; probably the most intelligent candidate on the stage

by chris 12/16/2011 2:27:38 AM
Romney says he expects Obama to make same charge, and overall, "in the real world that the president hasn't lived in," some businesses succeed, others fail. But, all told, he created more jobs than he lost.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:27:38 AM
gingrich or romney would be no change, much how obamas "change" was basically carrying on and adding to bushes programs

by wademus 12/16/2011 2:27:49 AM
the real audience for this debate is not being impressed.

by gary from N.J. the people... 12/16/2011 2:27:56 AM
Let's be honest here...Ron Paul is the only one who nobody attacks, and it's for good reason. The man stands for what he believes in, has sound principles, and has been consistent for decades. He's predicted every crisis we're in, and has been ignored. If he's ignored again, the country deserves what happens to it...

by bOBBO 12/16/2011 2:28:09 AM
taliban nice to listen too?

by wademus 12/16/2011 2:28:23 AM
Is there a live stream of the debate? My cable is out and i would like to watch.

by Andrew.Hicks 12/16/2011 2:29:11 AM
FoxNews has a live web stream: live.foxnews.com

by Ron Agrella, Boston.com editor 12/16/2011 2:29:25 AM
Every candidate save Perry seems smarter and more real then Obama cant wait when he goes up against someone who can think on their feet

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:29:33 AM
As I said, once the softballs are asked, now Chris Wallace is asking Gingrich why he shouldn't be trouble for calling for Barney Frank to be in jail when he, himself, benefitted from a relationship with Freddie Mac.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:29:34 AM
I would like to know what these candidates would have done in 2008 to get this country back on its feet after the melt down. What would they have done different than what President O'Bama did.

by David C. 12/16/2011 2:29:55 AM
Obama without a debate against a person who actually understands why he believes the things he does? Game over, Obama. No chance against Paul. Newt would likely also beat him, but only for his debate skills.

by bOBBO 12/16/2011 2:30:04 AM
RT @TheFix: Romney plan tonight: Stay away from hitting GOP rivals, harp on his experience, attack Obama. #iowadebate

by RoelVerrycken via twitter 12/16/2011 2:30:05 AM
Newt: "Barney Frank was in public office with direct power from Freddie Mac. I was a private citizen.They need more regs." #iowadebate

by Gabby_Hoffman via twitter 12/16/2011 2:30:11 AM
RT @****MorrisTweet: #iowadebate #hannity #tcot #gop @talkmaster Romney puts away the attack on his business record Great difference from obama

by RamingtonStall via twitter 12/16/2011 2:30:20 AM
What would you do as President to relax legislation on banks so they are able to make more loans to small business?

by Brent Harl 12/16/2011 2:30:24 AM
I understand what people think "electability" is. My point is, how can anyone determine if someone is electable? To each voter, his candidate is electable. By what measure are people determining electability? Because the media says so?

by Dan Osterman 12/16/2011 2:30:37 AM
no one attacks paul because he is unelectable

by gary from N.J. the people... 12/16/2011 2:31:01 AM
Newt talks about Freddie. Here we go down the rabbit hole.

by tauro 12/16/2011 2:31:12 AM
yeah bobbo its cause you can not really attack the man. What would you say? Where would you start?

by DMG73192 12/16/2011 2:31:26 AM
As a tweeter of America I would like to know why they are beating around the bush. I no what Obama did wrong, what I wanna no is how these corporations are gonna work for us and lower gas prices and food prices...that will fix America!

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:31:36 AM