Liveblogging the Google-Fox debate

Note the time structure: EDT/NZST

10:53 / 2:53: And that's it, folks.

10:47pm / 2:47pm: An interesting question, much unlike the last one. Santorum almost didn't answer it, but, in the end, chose a clown of equal imbecility to himself (that was harsh, sorry). Paul didn't answer, but the crowd seemed to like his response anyway. Perry didn't answer, but made a joke from it; Romney didn't either.

How strange that Michele Bachmann should lecture everyone on the constitution, when she so ardently supports policies on creationism and religion which run contrary to constitutional principles. Makes me wince.

10:38pm / 2:38pm: A laughably broad question. "What would you do to turn this country around?" Herman Cain asserts that there is a 'severe deficiency of leadership' in Washington at the moment. A quick reference to Reagan's 'city on the hill' description arouses a great applause from the audience. These people are so easy to please. Another emotive answer from Romney, no substance to be seen. Michele Bachmann's response isn't really worth mentioning, and Ron Paul's comments were just generally on-the-point.

I suppose we can't have expected too much from such a broad question, but at least it was nice to see Ron Paul get the recognition he deserves from the audience. Although, given how easy they appear to be, that's not saying much. Yet another Reagan quote from Santorum. They should know that he's perhaps more liberal than they remember. Apparently, too, Obama is the new King George III. So he's an English farmer now?

10:29pm / 2:29pm: Sullivan is liveblogging, and weighs in on Santorum's DADT comments:

Santorum claims bizarrely that repealing DADT means permission for sexual activity for gays in the military. This is a lie. The same rules of sexual misconduct apply to gays and straights alike. And a gay servicemember is booed by this foul crowd. Santorum keeps saying "sex is not an issue." But that's the current policy! This has nothing to do with sex, as Santorum surely knows. And again, the crowd reveals itself as hateful - even when it comes to those serving their country in uniform. This is one core reason why I cannot be a Republican. So many are bigots - and no one - no one - stands up against them. They're a bunch of bullies congratulating themselves on rooting out the queers.

Thank goodness someone said it.

10:26pm / 2:26pm: Bachmann, as expected, is now making some dim-witted response on her irresponsible HPV comments. It's still ironic that she's haranguing Rick Perry on her 'crony capitalism' charge, especially given her ridiculous record on drug company donations.

10:15pm / 2:15pm: Fact checkers at the ready: Bachmann's making comments on history. "Of course we should be able to exercise our faith...whether that occurs in a public school." She didn't even answer the question. Another example of Bachmann's affinity for emotive rhetoric over substance, albeit poorly delivered.

10:09pm / 2:09pm: "A guaranteed step towards corruption." Tell us how, great oracle.

10:03pm / 2:03pm: Romney says that Obama threw Israel under the bus, and didn't mention the hardship they've suffered. Not true.

America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakable, and our friendship with Israel is deep and enduring. And so we believe that any lasting peace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces every single day. Let's be honest: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged repeated wars against it. Israel's citizens have been killed by rockets fired at their houses and suicide bombs on their buses. Israel's children come of age knowing that throughout the region, other children are taught to hate them. Israel, a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world where leaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewish people carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the fresh memory of knowing that six million people were killed simply because of who they were.

That sounds pretty sympathetic to me. Oh, God: now Herman Cain's speaking. One hopes he makes better pizza than he does discussion on foreign policy.

9:49pm / 1:49pm: Now we're having the continuation of the 'illegal alien education' debate between Perry and Romney. I suppose it would be foolish to provide incentives for illegal immigration, but I agree with Perry in that it is not the fault of illegal immigrants' children. "They will become a drag on our society." He's right: they need to be educated. This is wonderful. Santorum asks why they should be given 'preferential treatment'. One wonders what Santorum's definition of 'preferential' would be; it's certainly not the one you'd find in the dictionary. "We will make America secure." Well said. Perry seems to be the winner of that particular portion of the debate, despite a little disapproval from the audience.

9:41pm / 1:41pm: By the way, sorry I'm a little late to this debate. If you're like me, you'll be watching live online at YouTube. Of course, this is an internet initiative.

9:41pm / 1:41pm: Mitt Romney's views on teachers are congruent to mine. Hire the best ones and pay them well. Agreed.

9:37pm / 1:37pm: Newt seems to be living up to Weigel's point about his purpose in running. On the issue of 'big government in the classroom', abolishing the Federal Department of Education seems radical, but it might just work. Santorum seems to think that the 'customer' isn't getting what he or she deserves. I'd say that there's a danger in thinking about taxpayers as customers. Ron Paul's comments on No Child Left Behind, I thought, were astute.

Image: "Republican presidential candidates, from left, Gary Johnson, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Jon Huntsman Jr. participate in the Fox News/Google debate in Orlando, Fla." (Mark Wilson / Getty Images / September 22, 2011, via LA Times)