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GOP Candidates Play Nice in Iowa Debate

Repubs target Dems with tough talk on war, abortion, Obama

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2007 3:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Republican presidential candidates were mostly civil to each other in today's debate in Iowa, but they hammered Democrats on foreign policy and taxes. The tensest exchange occurred early, the Washington Post reports, when Sam Brownback accused Mitt Romney’s wife of working for Planned Parenthood. Romney called the charge “desperate.”

In the debate, which aired on ABC’s “This Week,” the candidates united in targeting Barack Obama, who Romney quipped went "from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove” on foreign policy. Most candidates said they wanted a less assertive VP than Dick Cheney. Romney leads in a Post poll, but just 19% of likely Iowa voters are satisfied with the candidates.

[Images (8)]

[Videos (1)]

Republican presidential hopefuls Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani, right, talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate, Sunday, Aug.... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney talks with his wife Ann during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at Drake University in... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani smiles at the end of the ABC News Republican presidential debate, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidates Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., left, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, center, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., converse prior to the ABC News Republican presidential... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, greets former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, before the ABC News Republican presidential debate, Sunday, Aug. 5,... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopefuls Sen. John McCain,R-Ariz., left, stands with former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani before the ABC News Republican presidential debate, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at Drake... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney stands at the podium prior to the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Sheslow Auditorium on the campus of Drake University... (Associated Press)

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GOP Candidates Play Nice in Iowa Debate