[Watch the debate live online here.]

Prof. George begins: "Courts usurped the authority of Congress and acted in a way that removed an entire class of human beings from the law's protection. Lincoln said that if this is accepted "the people will cease to be their own rulers." After Lincoln's death we enacted the 14th amendment. Many people say we need to wait for Roe v. Wade to be reversed but Section 5 of the 14th gives Congress the right to enforce the guarantees of equal protection and due process. Would you propose to Congress legislation to protect life in all stages?" Mitt Romney responds [paraphrase]:

"I would support justices who support the Constitution and would return that power to the states. Is there a constitutional path to have Congress say we will push aside the decision of the Supreme Court, and return to the states or pass their own values -- that would create a constitutional crisis. That might happen but that wouldn't be something I would precipitate. I would look for people on the Supreme Court who will interpret the Constitution, not impose their own values. I'm not looking to creating a constitutional crisis. I would live within the law, the Constitution as I understand it without creating a constitutional crisis..."

George: Will your Veep share your pro-life, pro-marriage views?

Romney: "I certainly imagine so, I haven't made any selections in that regard, I would expect they would all be pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. I think its presumptuous to think of who my Veep would be at this stage. These are important enough issues that the person I select would share my views."

George: [question about federal money going to states that discriminate against organizations that follow their religious convictions.]

Romney: "I believe in religious tolerance and religious liberty. That means to me we are not going to force people of faith to violate their faith in order to practice their professions ...I'm not one of those who says get rid of the conscience protections and [force people to do things that violate their faith.]

I would say in [Massachusetts] about half of adoptions were being placed by Catholic Charities because they would not place children in homes with same-sex couples.

That's a mistake, we should permit people to apply their faith, [especially when there are many other agencies who can deliver services]."

Grading Mitt Romney: B+

[Watch the debate live online here.]

Newt gets extra credit for giving Dr. George a shout-out at the beginning on the Manhattan Declaration: "What Dr. George began with the Manhattan statement to re-center American culture is very important ...this is very important." From his opening remarks:

"Always a citizen, never a subject. A set of truths about the nature of being human. We are human within a fabric created by God. These rights are inalienable. Which means no politician, no bureaucrat, no judge can take them away from you ...we are in grave danger of descending from being citizens into being subjects."

Dr. George: "Pres. Lincoln's First Inaugural, he spoke of the court usurping the authority of the people on slavery. Section 5 of the 14th Amendment authorizes Congress to enforce the guarantees of equal protection and due process. Would you as President propose legislation to protect life?" Speaker Gingrich answers [paraphrase]:

Yes. But there are five other issues. There are a number of issues on which the courts have usurped the people's power. Jefferson wrote that the Supreme Court unimpeded would be "an oligarchy." This is the center of American exceptionalism. We are a people of law. To be a people of law you have to have a structure. By a 5-4 vote appointed lawyers can be the equivalent of a Constitutional Convention ...we are going to have a big fight with the lawyer class. Jefferson in 1802 passes judicial reform act which eliminates judges ...I am not as bold as Thomas Jefferson. I would no more than eliminate Judge Berry in San Antonio and the 9th Circuit ...that's not a rhetorical comment. The executive branches have an obligation to defend the Constitution against judges who are tyrannical."

Gingrich on marriage:

"I support a constitutional amendment on marriage. We have every right to defend a 3,000-year clear record [on what marriage is] and I don't think we should be intimidated against [defending it]."

Grading Newt Gingrich: "B"

[Watch the debate live online here.]

This debate is breaking new ground.

Prof. Robby George asks whether Congress has the power to enforce the equal protection of unborn life, under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment. I think Michele Bachmann said yes. This breaks new ground.

Michele Bachmann also offered Pres. Obama's failure to defend DOMA as an abandonment of first principles.

Veep pick: Yes, that person would be pro-life and pro-marriage, she promises.

Should the federal government subsidize states that discriminate against religious adoptions agencies?

She supports legislation to prevent that (paraphrasing): "I believe in equal protection under the law, we have seen a disadvantage to children in foster care or adoption care. This is another example that activist judges are dangerous to the foundation of the society, etc."

Grading Michele Bachmann: a solid "A"