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It was evident that the main focus of last night's GOP debate centered on the war in Iraq. While Republican presidential candidates were unanimous in their support of the war, several criticized the administration for mismanaging the war effort and said to withdraw troops at this time would pose a serious threat on the United States.

Republican hopefuls were careful to make blanket statements that fully supported the war, a topic that according to polls has proven most unpopular with a large majority of the public. Despite this challenge, the candidates knew it was in their best interests to not completely abandon the president or antagonize other Republicans who voted in the party's presidential primary.

What did they say about issues of particular concern to DiversityInc readers—immigration, affirmative action, stem-cell research? Not much. Here are highlights of what each candidate said.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona: When asked how he would handle the situation in Iraq if elected, McCain said the war was "terribly mismanaged." He later added, "We have a new general, [and] we have a new strategy. That strategy can succeed." On terrorists such as Osama bin Laden and terrorist organizations, McCain promised to bring them to justice, stating, "I will follow him to the gates of hell." McCain later added his opposition of abortion; in 2000, he voted to prosecute abortion doctors, not the women who get them. In addition, McCain stood by his vote to expand on embryonic stem-cell-research funding.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York: Giuliani acted in his purest form last night—he was blunt and to the point. So when it came to abortion, Giuliani continued to shift from his previously stated pro-choice positions. While he says he supports reasonable restrictions on abortion such as parental notification with a judicial bypass and a ban on partial-birth abortion, it is not worth taking the life of the mother. Giuliani also expressed his opposition to Bush's ban on gay marriage.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts: Romney found himself justifying previous comments made on Osama bin Laden, when he insisted that it wasn't worth moving "heaven and earth" to search for just one man. Romney was also confronted with his flip-flopped position on same-sex marriage and abortion rights, which he once advocated during his single term as governor of Massachusetts during the 1990s. He explained Thursday night that his positions had evolved sincerely over time. Romney insists that he is firmly pro-life.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas: Huckabee criticized Bush for firing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld after the 2004 presidential election. He contested that he would have fired Rumsfeld before the election. "Clearly, there was a real error in judgment," said Huckabee. According to Huckabee, the Bush administration did not listen closely enough to veteran military commanders who warned that the war would be long and difficult.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia: Gilmore commented on the significance of continuing to go after Osama bin Laden. He responded by saying that the larger issue at hand is getting America to recognize that we can't be in a situation where the Arab and Islamic world feel the United States are against them. Gilmore added that unlike some of his rivals, he had "remained consistent" to his conservative ideals and had never "flip-flopped from one year to the next."

Rep. Duncan Hunter of California: Hunter believes that the United States needs to move out of Iraq because Iran is quickly moving into Iraq with their weapons of mass destruction. Hunter also reminded voters of his role in the building of a wall on the Mexican border in Southern California to keep undocumented immigrants out.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas: When asked about the current leadership in the United States, Paul said it depends on how you look at the role of government. Paul said it is one thing to go to war, but it's another to be in a situation where we can't get out easily.

Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado: The most outspoken critic of immigration, Tancredo urged tightening controls. Tancredo believes undocumented workers threaten the economy and undermine American culture. Tancredo says he will eliminate benefits and job prospects just to keep them away.

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin: Thompson says he's the reliable conservative who started welfare reform and who has the kind of record that will attract both Democrats and Republicans. Thompson said the mistake that Republicans made was that "we went to Washington to change Washington and Washington changed us."

Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas: Brownback stressed leading by example by renewing family and culture.

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