In Iowa the final sprint for the 2012 Republican presidential candidates has begun, with the state’s all-important January 3 caucuses drawing near. On Saturday, all of the major Republican contenders, minus former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, took center stage at Drake University for a Des Moines debate. Surging frontrunner Newt Gingrich found himself fending off attacks from all sides throughout the night, while Mitt Romney may have left the lasting impression by offering Rick Perry a $10,000 bet, mid-debate. Ron Christie is a Republican political strategist, CEO of Christie Strategies, and former special assistant to President George W. Bush. Bill Adair is editor of PolitiFact and Washington bureau chief for The St. Petersburg Times.
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