GOP presidential debate in Iowa: highlights and lowlights

Biggest winner: Mitt Romney, who stayed above the fray and avoided the mud being slung by the other candidates, and so was able to enjoy his status as the current front-runner Other winners: Fox News for showing how to run a spirited debate with verve and pointed questions; Rick Perry, governor of Texas and future candidate, for skipping the whole thing Biggest loser: Tim Pawlenty, who picked a fight with fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann over her record. Bachmann blasted back with both barrels, comparing Pawlenty's record to Obama Unhappiest viewers: Republican members of Congress, thrown under the bus by most of the candidates for voting to raise the debt ceiling Biggest surprise 1: Jon Huntsman backing civil unions and calling for more debate on gay marriage – a practically suicidal position on the right of the Republican party Most bizarre moment: Herman Cain quoting lyrics from the theme song to Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Biggest surprise 2: Ron Paul welcoming the thought of Iran having nuclear weapons, on the grounds that the Soviet Union had them and that didn't lead to war Least interesting fact: Both Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann once backed an increase in Minnesota's state cigarette tax Strangest quote: Mitt Romney: "I'm not going to eat Barack Obama's dog food," when asked why he didn't back the debt ceiling deal passed by Congress Most depressing point: Candidates said they would not still agree to tax increases even if combined with 10 times as much in spending cuts Most sexist question: To Michele Bachmann, asked if she would be "submissive" to her husband while president of the United States. Best answer delivered with withering scorn to the most sexist question: Michele Bachmann: "Thank you for that question, Byron." Best joke on Twitter: "Rick Perry is at home watching the Republican vice presidential debate" Most sane candidate: Jon Huntsman, the only one to fully support raising the debt ceiling and so avoiding the possibility of a default by the US Biggest mystery: Michele Bachmann being late back on stage after an ad break Low point: Newt Gingrich complaining about the questions he was being asked, and then failing to answer them High point: The end