FROM gun control to the Bible, and from illegal immigration and the use of torture to flying the Confederate flag, the concerns of the Republican party's rank and file were on full - and colourful - display during the first debate organised by the popular video-sharing website YouTube.com.
The Wednesday-night debate in Iowa, in which the candidates were asked questions submitted on videos by members of the public, followed a similar Democrats' YouTube debate earlier this year, and produced a livelier, more colourful spectacle than show
s organised by professional broadcasters.
Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, the leading contenders for the Grand Old Party (GOP) nomination, sparred from the beginning, clashing on immigration.
Mr Romney accused Mr Giuliani of running a "sanctuary city" during his time as Mayor of New York, arguing the Mayor had demonstrated no willingness to crack down on illegal immigrants. Mr Giuliani said Mr Romney was being "holier than thou" and that he had tolerated six so-called sanctuary cities in Massachusetts when he was governor and had run a "sanctuary mansion" since illegal-immigrant sub-contractors had worked on Mr Romney's home.
Mr Romney, who leads in the polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire, had a trying night as rivals lined up to take shots at him. He has had to overcome accusations that he is a shameless panderer who has frequently changed his mind on serious issues, and he acknowledged "I was wrong" to have held a pro-choice position on abortion.
The former governor appeared uncomfortable when asked if he supported maintaining the ban on homosexuals serving in the military or if he believed that the Bible was true.
Mr Romney and Senator John McCain also engaged in a lengthy debate over the use of torture. Mr McCain, who was tortured while a prisoner during the Vietnam War, condemned Mr Romney's support of "waterboarding" - the near-drowning of terrorist suspects. "How in the world anybody could think that that kind of thing could be inflicted by Americans on people who are held in our custody is absolutely beyond me," he said.
Mr Romney said that he opposed torture but supported the techniques - which included waterboarding - which enraged Mr McCain.
Mr Romney also clashed with Mike Huckabee a former Arkansas governor who was perhaps the evening's biggest winner. Mr Huckabee, a former baptist preacher who was until recently most famous for losing more than 100lbs on a diet, used his folksy charm and wit to good effect. Asked how Jesus would feel about the death penalty - which Mr Huckabee supports - he won laughter when he said: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office."
However, it was his squabble with Mr Romney over Mr Huckabee's support for a scholarship programme for the children of illegal immigrants that confirmed that Mr Huckabee is now a serious contender. Mr Romney attacked the Arkansan, elevating him to the front rank of candidates.
The latest polls from Iowa show that Mr Huckabee is eroding Mr Romney's once-comfortable lead in the Hawkeye state. Drawing support from evangelical Christians in particular, Mr Huckabee is betting that his combination of likeability, religious conviction and economic populism sets him apart from his rivals.
Mr Huckabee demonstrated his nimbleness when Rudy Giuliani was asked if he believed in the truth of the Bible. "Do you want me to help you out?" said a smiling Mr Huckabee, fully cognisant that his surge in Iowa is also aiding Mr Giuliani's campaign to win the nomination. Indeed, speculation is rife that Mr Giuliani would pick Mr Huckabee as his running-mate if he defeats Mr Romney for the nomination.
The full article contains 611 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
