South Carolina Republican Debate: Republican Presidential Contenders Square Off in Myrtle Beach Debate

John McCain assumed the mantle of front-runner for the Republican Presidential nomination at the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina debate. He refused to engage in criticism of his chief rival, Mitt Romney, which had been a hallmark of previous debates, when he had called Romney to task for "flip-flopping" on the issues. Strangely for such a still-competitive contest, McCain did not come in for the sniping and criticism usually heaped on a front-runner. He was given a pass this night by four of his five rivals: Only Mitt Romney dared cross him, once on a McCain remark that jobs that had been lost in Michigan would never come back, and then on his signature issue of illegal immigration.

The Fox News Channel debate moderators did little to up the temperature of the debate, generally avoiding any controversies. They did, however, question Mike Huckabee's religious fervor and bait Ron Paul on the issue of Iran.

The South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary is scheduled for Saturday, January 19, 2008, three days before the Democratic Primary. McCain is leading the South Carolina polls. This was the last debate before the Michigan primary of January 15th, which Romney must win to stay in contention.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was born in Michigan, and his father George, a candidate for the 1968 Republican Presidential nomination, was the state's governor from 1963 to 1969, so he will be running as a "Favorite Son" candidate. However, his near-Favorite Son status in neighboring New Hampshire ultimately did not help him as he was beaten by U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona.