The questioner who asks whether the candidates believe “every word in this book” — holding up the Bible — acts as if he’s auditioning to lead the Branch Davidians.
Rudy: I believe it, I don’t believe that it’s literally true in every respect. There are parts that are allegorical, there are parts that are meant to be interpreted in a modern .
Romney: I believe it’s God’s word.
Huckabee: It is the word of revelation to us of God Himself.
He points out that some parts are allegorical, pointing out that no one believes people should go around plucking out their eyes. He saves the rest of the field on this, as they can now say, “what he said.”