The four remaining Republican White House hopefuls faced off on Thursday evening in the second nationally televised debate in four days ahead of the critical Florida GOP primary on January 31.
Clashing at the University of North Florida in the 19th debate of the campaign season, the candidates sought to clarify their positions and gain some separation from the rest of the pack in what remains a tightly contested race.
Thursday's debate was frequently a continuation of issues that were featured in Monday's forum, with the candidates having had a chance to catch their breath and reload.
Frontrunners Mitt Romney and New Gingrich found themselves under steady fire, both from each other and from Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
The former Massachusetts governor Romney was hit especially hard by Santorum for his health care plan, while Gingrich hammered at him about his investments - although Romney smoothly deflected the attacks.
Former Speaker of the House Gingrich continued to draw fire regarding his past association with Fannie Mae, and he, too, was articulate in his defense.
The candidates also sparred over such issues as illegal immigration, relations with Cuba and Central America, taxes, the space program, relations with Israel, statehood for Puerto Rico and religion.
Saturday's decisive victory by Gingrich in the South Carolina primary put the race up for grabs again, in what was starting to become an inevitable nod for Romney.
Romney had won the New Hampshire primary on January 10 - but the Iowa caucus on January 3 was awarded to former Pennsylvania senator Santorum after a recount - making the nomination truly anyone's for the taking.
Just prior to the South Carolina primary, Santorum had been anointed by conservatives around the country as the alternative to the more moderate Romney - although that didn't hold true in the Palmetto State.
Paul, the Libertarian Texas congressman, continues to enjoy popular support - particularly among younger voters, although his views are considered by most analysts to be too far outside mainstream GOP tenets to be a viable candidate.
Paul finished second in New Hampshire, third in Iowa and fourth in South Carolina.
The two-hour debate was sponsored and televised by CNN and moderated by Wolf Blitzer.
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