GOP Field United On War, Divided On Social Issues

The divisions within the party were most evident when the topic of abortion was raised early in the debate. Matthews asked each of the 10 candidates if it would be a good day for America if the Supreme Court overturned Roe.

Brownback said it would be "a glorious day of human liberty and freedom." Gilmore called Roe "wrongly decided," while Tancredo said it would be "the greatest day in this country's history."

When Giuliani got his chance to respond, he said, "It would be okay," but he went on to note that it would also be okay "if a strict-constructionist judge viewed it as precedent, and I think a judge has to make that decision."

Pressed later to explain his overall position on abortion, he said: "In my case, I hate abortion. I would encourage someone to not take that option." He added: "But ultimately, since it is an issue of conscience, I would respect a woman's right to make a different choice."

With several of the candidates talking about their consistent opposition to abortion, Romney was asked about why he had changed his position. "I took the same course that Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush and Henry Hyde took, and I said I was wrong and changed my mind and said I'm pro-life," he said. "And I'm proud of that, and I won't apologize to anybody for becoming pro-life."

McCain joined Giuliani in parting company with the others on stem cell research. Acknowledging the presence of Nancy Reagan, who has campaigned for federal support for such research, McCain said: "This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It's a tough issue. I support federal funding."

Immigration also divided the candidates. McCain is the most prominent advocate of a comprehensive solution combining border security with a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, but others stressed their belief that simply enforcing the current law without providing a path to citizenship is the right policy.

"That means let's build that border fence," Hunter said. "When people want to come into this country, let's ask them to knock on the front door."

The debate opened with Iraq and foreign policy, and the candidates did not shrink from embracing the president's policy.

"We must win in Iraq," McCain said. "If we withdraw, there will be chaos, there will be genocide and they will follow us home."

"We should never retreat in the face of terrorism," Giuliani said. "Terrible mistake."

Romney, arguing against following polls that show a majority of Americans believe the war cannot be won, said: "I want to get our troops home as soon as I possibly can. But, at the same time, I recognize we don't want to bring them out in such a precipitous way that we cause a circumstance that would require us to come back."

Bush came under criticism for his administration's management of the war, with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee saying he would have fired Donald H. Rumsfeld as defense secretary before the 2006 elections.

"Clearly there was a real error in judgment, and that primarily had to do with listening to a lot of folks who were civilians in suits and silk ties and not listening enough to the generals with mud and blood on their boots and medals on their chest," he said.

The candidates also vowed to pursue Osama bin Laden, with McCain vowing to "follow him to the gates of hell."

Toward the end of the debate, the candidates were asked their views on having Bill Clinton once again living in the White House, this time as the first spouse. Romney spoke for all by exclaiming, "You have got to be kidding."