MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Republican presidential candidates appeared in the last televised debate before the South Carolina Primary to be held Jan. 19. History has shown that since 1980, the winner of the GOP primary in South Carolina has gone on to win the party’s presidential nomination.

In the Jan. 10 debate, the candidates discussed their views on foreign policy and domestic issues at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

In attendance were Sen. John McCain, coming off of his recent win in the New Hampshire primary, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, who took the Iowa Caucuses on Jan. 3, former Gov. Mitt Romney, winner of the Wyoming Caucus, former Sen. Fred Thompson, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Ron Paul.

McCain said he is concerned that the Republican Party has steered away from the “Reagan principles and philosophy and practices.” He said he felt that the party needs to “return to those principles of less government, lower taxes, strong family values [and] strong national defense.”

Thompson emphasized his value of the American dream when he said he was proud to live in “a nation where a country boy from Tennessee or a country girl from South Carolina can grow up and, if they obey by the rules, expect to achieve the American dream.”

Giuliani said that he believed that “we have to pursue those principles of lower taxes, restraining spending, devolving power to people [and] getting power to governments that are closest to the people.”

As a conservative, Giuliani also believes in a strong national defense.

“That’s why my first commitment to the American people is to be on offense against terrorists.”

Huckabee made one of the boldest statements of the evening when answering a question about the recent approach of an Iranian fast boat on an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, “I think we need to make it very clear … that if you think you’re going to engage the United States military … be prepared that the next things you see will be the gates of Hell.”

Thursday was also the one-year anniversary of President Bush’s announcement of the troop surge in Iraq.

McCain said he supported the President's decision.

“We can win, and then these young people will come home and they will come home with honor.”

Paul said that he did not agree with the President's actions during his trip to the Middle East last week. “I think we get in the way too often…it would be a greater incentive for Israel and the Palestinians and all the Arab nations to come together and talk.”

Romney was confident in his understanding of what the American people want. “I know how to bring change. And I will change Washington. I will take it apart and put it back together simpler, smaller, smarter.”

The North Carolina primary will be on Tuesday, Feb. 5, along with Alabama, Alaska caucus, Arizona, California, Colorado caucus, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho caucus, Illinois, Kansas caucus, Minnesota caucus, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico caucus, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. Because so many states vote on this day it has been dubbed “Super Tuesday.”

On Jan. 21, the first democratic debate in the south will take place in Myrtle Beach, S.C., televised by CNN.

to the Middle East last week. “I think we get in the way too often. It would be a greater incentive for Israel and the Palestinians and all the Arab nations to come together and talk.”

Romney was confident in his understanding of what the American people want.

“I know how to bring change. And I will change Washington. I will take it apart and put it back together simpler, smaller, smarter.”

Candidates have started to look forward to “Super Tuesday,” on Feb. 5 when 24 states will hold contests in either the Democratic, Republican or both parties. On Feb. 5 Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia are expected to make or break any candidate.

North Carolina holds its primaries on May 6.

On Jan. 21, the first democratic debate in the South will take place in Myrtle Beach, S.C., televised by CNN.

Reporter: Angie Lovelace - 01/16/07