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.

It looks like Ron Paul prefers Romney over Gingrich.

by tauro 12/16/2011 2:31:49 AM
Ron Paul is now challenging Gingrich on his support for "government-sponsored" enterprises. Gingrich says you can't discount everything just because government is involved. "I did no lobbying" for any organization.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:32:04 AM
@ Dan... exactly

by 4RonPaul12 12/16/2011 2:32:09 AM
Now, the question moves to Bachmann: What evidence do you have Gingrich engaged in lobbying?

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:32:28 AM
no one attacks paul because if they do he gets attention and he wins

by wademus 12/16/2011 2:32:53 AM
She says he cashed $1.6 million in paychecks from Freddie Mac. Along with Fannie Mae, "they were the epicenter of the mortgage meltdown."

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:32:56 AM
Wallace seems to be carrying Romneys water tonite

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:33:15 AM
Why is everyone assuming Barack Obama is a moron who'll perform terribly in debates? I really believe that most people who graduate at the top of their class from Harvard Law School can hold their own in a one-on-one with Michelle Bachmann.

by James 12/16/2011 2:33:26 AM
Bachmann is totally comfortable in this attack. Right from her Tea Party base. Fannie and Freddie "need to be shut down, not built up."

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:33:26 AM
Gingrich pulls a Clinton denial.

by tauro 12/16/2011 2:33:48 AM
Why don't we go back to asking the middle class working 1st,2sd,3rd shift what we could do to fix America!

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:33:54 AM
GSE's are un-Constitutional!!! Where in Article I, Section 8, is there authority to have GSE's?

by Dan Osterman 12/16/2011 2:34:37 AM
Romney is the "establishment" pick.

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:34:44 AM
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT FOOD AND GAS PRICES!!!!

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:35:03 AM
Why?! Shocking???...no, it is typical American mainstream
media.

by 4RonPaul12 12/16/2011 2:35:27 AM
Gingrich #Dodge

by BenDoubleCrossd 12/16/2011 2:35:34 AM
Bachmann hitting Newt hard on taking $1.6 million from "grandiose scam of Freddie." #IowaDebate

by annecronin via twitter 12/16/2011 2:36:00 AM
Sorry but Bachman is stunning in every possible way tonite. Wow she's good

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:36:08 AM
Freeeee markets for food and gas prices

by DMG73192 12/16/2011 2:36:16 AM
Food and Gas prices are determined by the market. Govn't meddling would create a price fix. Not good.

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:36:33 AM
Our country needs jobs, after the NAFTA deal sent many of our jobs south of the border, I think it was that sucking sound that Ross Perot was talking about some years ago. We need to make Jobs in this country to make our country prosper again. In my opinion, we have just that happening again in North Dakota. They are drilling in North Dakota for oil. It seems that might just be our answer in making our country prosper again. What are your thoughts on drilling for oil in our country, as it would take our independence on foreighn oil away, and help make us strong. Do you agree?

by Tom 12/16/2011 2:37:28 AM
They're commenting on Obama's debating because his skillful debating become less and less important when people expect you to answer for serious issues that you've had time to change, and you have no answer. I think people are tired of the "I inherited a mess and everybody just stands in my way" line, especially when he blasted through legislation the public didn't want, and has done everything he can to sidestep congress, states, and individual liberties. I'm additionally amazed that people aren't suggesting his impeachment for his public assassination of US citizens without trial; my thought is there shouldn't be a debate between him and another, he should be sent to prison.

by bOBBO 12/16/2011 2:37:33 AM
Gingrich is clearly the focus tonight, and he is trying to stay in control.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:37:35 AM
Gingrich getting exposed bad tonite. Flip flopper all over the place

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:37:47 AM
Is @RickSantorum still up there? Have not heared from him since before the ad break #iowadebate

by LibertyJon via twitter 12/16/2011 2:38:01 AM
@ Jennifer What exactly do you want a President to do about gas prices? It's an exhaustible resource, and as the supply dwindles the prices will rise. It's simple economics.

by James 12/16/2011 2:38:21 AM
Why don't we go back to asking the middle class working 1st,2sd,3rd shift what we could do to fix America! WHAT ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT FOOD AND GAS PRICES?????

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:38:36 AM
Newt's base in Iowa does not exist. He's been running on fume.

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:38:56 AM
We all have long term memory problems...Gingrich may be able to pull this off...he is not attacking

by buffalo vic 12/16/2011 2:39:01 AM
How did the Obama troll get past the moderator

by johninprovidence 12/16/2011 2:39:37 AM
so was it economics for the last 30 yrs when we could afford it

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:39:59 AM
Neil Cavuto is challenging Ron Paul over his acceptance of earmarks. Paul responds that that he was just protecting business.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:41:09 AM
Dr. Paul to Cavuto: "You're missing the point. It's about cutting the spending but protecting the process."

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:41:10 AM
What are we going to do about food and gas prices? Nothing...what do you want, to be entirely taken care of by the government? If they can control your food and gas prices, and have consistently demonstrated a lack of transparency, then after over a hundred years of taking advantage of constituents and taxpayers, why would you want to grant them even more control over your lives? Price fixing is quite possibly the worst thing that can happen to an economy...

by bOBBO 12/16/2011 2:41:34 AM
He also says he wants to be a president with less power, less control, because he wants to preside over smaller government and less foreign intervention.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:41:39 AM
When you learn what earmarks are and google what they are talking about you will understand it is inapplicable to RP

by 4RonPaul12 12/16/2011 2:42:07 AM
Paul is getting a lot of focus tonight; some political analysts believe he could win the Iowa caucuses.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:42:20 AM
"Less Control" = get rid of Executive Orders and Presidential Directives

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:42:36 AM
I have a problem I cant afford food and I can't afford gas,I would like to know as President what are you going to do?

by Jennifier 12/16/2011 2:43:17 AM
Rick Perry, segueing to his anti-Washington argument, says Gingrich can't tell difference between daily work and lobbying because city is corrupted. Suggests country could be better off if Congress met 140 days every other year - as in Texas.

by Glen Johnson 12/16/2011 2:43:44 AM
@ Jennifer What do you mean "Was it economics?" Gas was cheaper in the past because there was more of it left in the earth and less people who wanted it. Now we've extracted roughly half of what's there and fuel consumption is increasing all over the world. The prices will rise in the long run and there isn't much any of us can do about it.

by James 12/16/2011 2:43:56 AM
Perry go get a job stop eating in your car

by buffalo vic 12/16/2011 2:44:02 AM
"Less Exec. Power" =A true Constitutional return to balance, separation and limitation.

by Drew 12/16/2011 2:44:06 AM
you don't have to be good at debating, or be a smooth talker when you're armed with the truth. Ron Paul talks about real issues like the Federal Reserve, it's what creates inflation and makes us poor, read Ron Paul's book "END THE FED", the best book i ever read in my life.

by 4RonPaul12 12/16/2011 2:44:19 AM
Jennifer you want a handout so vote Obama

by Jofa57 12/16/2011 2:44:27 AM