ABC/Iowa GOP Debate Sees Gingrich Once Again Shine

Newt Gingrich once again showed why he is leading in the polls after yet another solid performance at the December 10, 2011 debate (credit ABC/Matthew Putney)

Des Moines, Iowa – The stage was set Saturday for a slug fest between the two Republican frontrunners in the small stage set at Drake University in Des Moines.

Newt Gingrich, who has been on a rocket sled ride to the top of the polls based mostly upon his skill in debate form, once again took the reigns of discussion.

Mitt Romney is in full panic mode now as his campaign has come to grips with its second place status, something its not truly faced since the race for the White House began.

Romney may have well been the biggest looser of the evening when he casually challenged Governor Rick Perry to a $10k bet over something that Perry claims is in a book authored by Romney. “Rick, I’ll– I’ll tell you what. 10,000 bucks– $10,000 bet?”

Rick Perry looked at Romney sort of puzzled and explained, “I’m not in the bettin’ business, but, okay”

Rick Perry and Mitt Romney had their own differences to discuss at the ABC News Republican Presidential debate on December 10, 2011 (credit ABC/Matthew Putney)

This type of behavior is why he’s been running into a buzz saw of opinion writers around the country. Romney has been almost non-existent in Iowa and his absence has drawn the ire of the state’s political establishment, including Iowa Governor Branstad. “I think he’s starting to understand that he’s going to have to get much more aggressive; he’s going to have to spend more time here,” Brandstad said on NBC’s ‘Meet The Press’.

But to the average Iowan, and for that matter the average American 10k is several months wages. That type of disregard for the hard work Americans do every day, day after day, in order to come away with that kind of money, especially after the government takes it’s fair share.

Saturday night’s debate was the first big test for Gingrich since he was rocketed into the frontrunner status, and his Republican competitors had painted a target on his back as he stepped on stage.

Gingrich fired at Romney over his accusations that he was a career politician. Gingrich responded to a statement from Romney by saying, “The only reason you didn’t become a career politician is you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994.”

The statement brought both boos and cheers from those gathered in the small auditorium.

Michele Bachmann took the two front runners on with the “Newt Romney” comment over health care - December 10, 2011 (credit ABC/Matthew Putney)

Iowa Straw Poll winner Michele Bachmann has been near the bottom of the polls since her big win, and her message has been consistent since her campaign started.

We all understand she’s going to repeal Obamacare if elected by now, but she pulled off one of the brassiest moves of the night by taking on the two front runners in a single line in one of the slickest one liners of the evening with the “Newt Romney” line to tie the two front runners together, and to paint herself as the more conservative candidate in the game.

Former Senator Rick Santorum once again showed his knowledge of Iowa and its towns and geography. Some Iowan’s might be embarrassed to know this guy knows Iowa’s towns and counties better than they do.

He’s made his way to all 99 counties in the state, speaking to Iowans, and in doing so could very well be the dark horse candidate in the upcoming caucus. He’s tied family values and the strength of the economy together during his campaign.

Former Senator Rick Santorum has to be wondering when it will be his turn as the front runner. He's recently picked up two endorsements and he's made his way to all 99 counties in Iowa. Could he be the dark horse for the win in the January? - December 10, 2011 (credit ABC/Matthew Putney)

He’s picked up endorsements of Secretary of State Matt Schultz and also Pastor Cary Gordon of Sioux City. Gordon is a leading voice in the conservative evangelical Christian community. Gordon recently likened Newt Gingrich the “ the Kim Kardashian of the GOP”.

Ron Paul continued with his consistent message, making that point in the debate. “Well, I have learned that you should never give up on your opposition. Because if you’re persistent, and you present your case, they will come your way.”

Ron Paul had his share of supporters on hand Saturday night, and even won the Drake University Straw Poll of over 1100 students.

His polling numbers show him running a solid 3rd in the state, and with just a few short weeks before caucus night, his group of supporters may just deliver the biggest surprise of the evening.

Rick Perry also took his shot at Gingrich. “I think the voters are wise enough to figure that one out.  I’ve always kind of been of the opinion that– if you cheat on your wife, you’ll cheat on your business partner.  So– I think that– issue of fidelity is– important.”

Gingrich responded in the way that has made him such a force in the debate by saying, ” they have the right to ask every single question.  They have to have a feeling that this is a person that they can trust with the level of power we give to the presidency.”

Perry has been courting the evangelical vote as well with his recent TV ads, and will be doing more ‘retail politics’ in the coming weeks as his bus tour will be hitting the roads of Iowa, making a stop in Oskaloosa on the 28th of the month.

Credit the ABC News/Yahoo News debate co-sponsored by WOI-TV, The Des Moines Register and Drake University.