GOP Debate LiveBlog

8:04 p.m.

And it's over!

8:00 p.m.

On his first day in office if elected, Ted Cruz says he will reverse Iran deal and move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

7:53 p.m.

Final question, from a Facebook user by the name of Chase A. Norton: “I want to know if any of them [the candidates] have received a word from God on what they should do and take care of first.” 

7:38 p.m.

In case you missed it: Fox broke the story earlier tonight that Iranian General Qasem Soleimani traveled to Russia in violation of a U.N. travel ban.

7:31 p.m.

Paul: “I don't want my marriage or my guns registered in Washington. And if people have a religious opnion that is heartely felt, obviously they should be able to practice that and no government should get in the way of that.”

7:28 p.m.

Trump on criticism of his tone: “We don't have time for tone. We have to get things done.”

7:18 p.m.

On the Iran deal:

Paul: “I don't think Obama negotiated from a position of strength, but I don't discount negotiations.” 

Huckabee: “We got nothing. We didn't even get four hostages out, and Iran got everything they want.” 

7:15 p.m.

In case you didn't hear, radical Jewish organizer and writer Paul Alinksy got a shoutout a few minutes ago.

7:11 p.m.

Trump: “Four times I have taken advantage of the laws, and so has everyone else in my position.”

7:06 p.m.

Sorry for the delay.

Christie: Raise the reitirement age 2 years over 25 years as people are living longer.

6:25 p.m.

Trump calls political reporters “not a very honest lot.” Should I stop now?

6:04 p.m.

Donald Trump is the only candidate who will not pledge to run as an independent if he fails to win the Republican nomination.

5:50 p.m.

The debate is 10 minutes away! 

As a reminder, the candidates in this debate are business magnate Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. 

The debate will last two hours. The candidates will be alotted one minute to answer each question and 30 seconds for rebuttals. 

Trump has dominated the discussion in recent days. The other 9 candidates will be vying to make their presence known. 

3:27 p.m.

The first debate of the evening is over.

The candidates mostly played it safe. Carly Fiorina gained some ground, especially in the last hour, but it remains to be seen whether that will translate into support in the polls. Rick Perry grew more confident as the conversation went on, exceeding low expectations after his dismal 2012 performance. 

There were no memorable lines or gaffs, but Lindsay Graham appeared particularly uncomfortable onstage. 

3:22 p.m.

The first debate is over. I will update occasionally between now and 6, and then will pick up again consistently at the start of the prime time debate.

There were no major gaffs in the first debate. Carly Fiorina and Rick Perry had the most impressive performances in the first debate. 

3:17 p.m.

Fiorina uses her closing statement to go after Clinton. As the only female GOP canddiate, she can't escape the comparison. It's a lingering problem for her campaign.

3:16 p.m.

Jindal: “Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.” 

3:13 p.m.

All candidates: If I am elected, this will be a greatest nation ever, as it was until 8 years ago. 

3:10 p.m.

The candidates agree that Clinton is “untrustworthy.”

3:06 p.m.

The candidates agree that their first action in office would be to reverse Obama policies, paritciuarly Executive Orders.

Fiorina: Obama has “disrespect and disregard for too many Americans.” 

3:03 p.m.

With the exeception of Pataki, there seems to be concensus that Planned Parenthood should be defunded and Roe v. Wade overturned. Jindal calls for sending IRS after Planned Parenthood.

2:59 p.m.

Pataki: “I've always been apalled by abortion.” Doesn't think we should try to change Roe v. Wade, but calls for defunding Planned Parenthood.

2:56 p.m.

Rick Perry on Iran negotiaions: “I would whole lot rather had Carly Fiorina over there doing our negotiation than John Kerry. Maybe we would have gotten a deal where we didn’t give everything away.”

2:53 p.m.

Question: “Is it time for conservatives to impose a litmus test on abortion?”

Jim Gilmore: No litmus test on abortion. 

2:50 p.m.

Carly Fiorina proposes Camp David summit with Arab Allies to ask them what they need to defeat ISIS. We need to arm the kurds and share intelligence with Egypt, she says.

2:49 p.m.

Rick Perry: If he is elected president, “the first thing I will do is tear up the agreement with Iran”

2:43 p.m.

Discussion of Planned Parenthood coming up next.

2:41 p.m.

Jindal: Obama and Clinton and turning the American dream into “the European nightmare.” Praises Sanders for calling himself a “socialist.” “Obama and Clinton are no better.”

2:38 p.m.

Graham avoids answering question about whether americans rely too much on entitlement programs.

Santorum proposes a 20% flat rate tax that he says will make the United States “a manufacturing juggernaut.”

2:30 p.m.

Rick Perry calls for more border security, including officers, fencing, and planes.

2:20 p.m.

Jindal, Graham, and Pataki have all called for a more agressive foreign policy, particuarly in fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq/Syria.

Jindal criticised the Obama administration for failing to label the problem as “radical Islamic terrorism.” “Islam has a problem and that problem is radical Islam,” he said.

1:55 p.m.

Hello! Welcome to the Jewish Journal’s livebog of the first GOP presidential debate(s). The first debate begins at 2 p.m., and features candidates who did not make the top 10 in recent polls. The prime time debate, featuring the top 10 candidates, begins at 6 p.m. Stay tuned for updates, Jewy moments, and discussion, and check us out on Twitter