Video: Watch the full CNN Florida Republican debate

The four remaining GOP candidates battled for the last time before the Florida primary in a debate sponsored by CNN, the Republican Party of Florida and the Hispanic Leadership Network. This debate took place at the University of North Florida located in Jacksonville.

Here is the entire debate video via YouTube:

Alternate full debate video link: ElectAd.com

Original Air Time: Thursday, January 26 at 8pm ET on CNN

Participants: Gingrich, Romney, Santorum, Paul

Report from CNN:

Front-runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich got the most attention and Romney appeared to get the better of his opponent on a couple of occasions during the final debate before Tuesday’s critical Florida primary.

While his attacks Thursday night on his rival weren’t sharp, Romney was forceful and had Gingrich on his heels when he brushed accusations aside and turned them back on Gingrich at the CNN/Republican Party of Florida debate in Jacksonville.

“Romney won two ways tonight,” said CNN contributor and Republican strategist Alex Castellanos. “One, by having a good debate and two by having [Rick] Santorum have his best debate yet.”

Romney appeals to the more moderate wing of the Republican Party while Santorum and Gingrich are competing for the conservative vote.

Romney seemed to be more prepared this time around for Gingrich’s attacks. Rick Santorum came out of his shell and gave a fairly strong performance as did Ron Paul. Newt Gingrich played defense most of the night and did not rise to the bar he set in previous debates.


Nate Ashworth

The Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Election Central. He's been blogging elections and politics for over a decade. He started covering the 2008 Presidential Election which turned into a full-time political blog in 2012 and 2016 that continues today.

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