A few heated exchanges marked the two-hour debate, but they were largely spurred by those struggling to catch up to Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in opinion polls.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, whose hopes may live or die in Iowa's Jan. 3 caucuses, continued to assail Gingrich for his work for Freddie Mac, the federal mortgage guarantor he has criticized for contributing to the housing crisis.
Although Gingrich adamantly insists he did not lobby, Bachmann said the fact that he was paid more than $1.6 million for consulting was proof of his influence-peddling and hypocrisy.
Gingrich accused Bachmann of making "wild accusations" and said that despite his past ties, he continued to favor the elimination of Freddie Mac.
"I will state unequivocally for every person watching tonight," Gingrich said, sternly looking into the camera and knifing his hand through the air, "I have never once changed my position because of any kind of payment."
Later, the former House speaker accused the congresswoman of misstating the facts about his record on abortion, causing Bachmann to bristle.
Speaker Gingrich took $1.6 million!’’ Bachmann said. ‘‘You don’t need to be within the technical definition of being a lobbyist to still be influence peddling with senior Republicans to have them do your bidding.’’
The debate comes three weeks before Iowans caucus on Jan. 3, and it could transform the race once more. Gingrich, who leads in polls both nationally and in Iowa, is fighting to keep his momentum.
Romney, who has never seemed truly threatened over the last year, has ramped up his attacks on Gingrich significantly. His campaign is also girding for a long slog toward the nomination, believing it is more organized and better financed for a race that will stretch far into next year.
Romney is coming off several interviews in which he has significantly intensified his criticism of Gingrich. He has called Gingrich ‘‘zany.’’
He has said the former House speaker has no reason to be critical of Romney’s wealth, given that Gingrich had a $500,000 line of credit at Tiffany’s. He has also called on Gingrich to give back the consulting fees he was paid by Freddie Mac.
Gingrich has criticized Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital, saying he would listen to Romney only if he would ‘‘give back all the money he has earned from bankrupting and laying off employees over his years at Bain.
‘I remember when the founders of JetBlue came to me and said, ‘Invest in us,’ ’’ Romney said. ‘‘I said, ‘Well that will never work.’ I got it wrong. Now one of my favorite airlines.’’
Gingrich was criticized several times in the debate for his long-standing ties to Washington and for at times straying from conservative ideology.
He sought to turn the latter critique to his advantage by highlighting his credentials in the party.
‘‘It’s sort of laughable to suggest that somebody who campaigned both with Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp, somebody with a 30-year record of conservatism, is somehow not a conservative?’’ he said.
Governor Rick Perry of Texas and Representative Ron Paul of Texas have also been active lately. Perry is on a bus tour of Iowa, and Paul has been gaining ground in Iowa polls.
‘‘There are a lot of folks who said Tim Tebow wasn’t going to be a great NFL quarterback,’’ Perry said, referring to the Denver Broncos quarterback. ‘‘Am I ready for the next level? I hope I am the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses.’’
Last night may have been the last time on the debate stage for some of the candidates.
Former senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania has placed much of his emphasis on Iowa, and a disappointing finish next month could cause him to leave the race.
‘‘We need someone who’s strong in their political and their personal lives take the case to Obama,’’ Santorum said.
Bachmann has also been focused on Iowa, and she showed some organizational strength by winning the state’s straw poll in August. But she has struggled to keep her momentum going.
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