The moderator, the editor of the Des Moines Register, says they won’t be spending much time on Iraq or immigration, because Iowa voters feel they know what the candidates think on those issues.

First question is about “a tsunami of debt” facing the country.

They want a thirty second answer? What the hell?

The question is whether the debt is a threat to the nation’s national security.

I’m getting an odd echo-ey effect as Giuliani speaks. He says it’s a threat to our economic security, but that Islamist terrorism is the top threat to national security.

Everybody seems to steer the question to their preferred villain: Duncan Hunter talks about China, Paul talks about monetary policy.

Tancredo… cites importation of oil from countries that are not our friends. Funny, I was waiting for him to say illegal immigrants.

Thompson: Entitlement reform. Romney: Runaway spending. “The future is not bleak; the future is bright.”

Let me guess, McCain will hit runaway spending, earmarks and pork… McCain talks about unfunded liabilities, and then energy independence…

Huckabee goes into a country’s need to “feed itself, fuel itself, and fight for itself,” a riff we’ve heard before.

Keyes says that security means requiring “securing the liberties of the American people.” Calls for abolishing the income tax, and calls for the fair tax.

In contrast to other debates, we haven’t heard a peep from any audience members. Are there any supporters in the room with them? Or is it all press and campaign staff?