Liveblogging the Fox News Debate in Iowa, Thurs. 12/15 @ 9/8c

With the Iowa caucuses less than a month away, this debate has a lot riding on it. Newt Gingrich needs to perform well if he wants to help keep his poll numbers strong. Mitt Romney needs to refrain from lighting a cigar with a hundred-dollar bill before talking about how he grew up poor. Rick Perry needs to do the opposite of everything he's ever done on the campaign trail so far.

High stakes indeed. Join us here and @TheInDecider Thursday, 12/15 @ 9/8c for real-time coverage of the debate in Sioux City, Iowa.

And please, don't think about how much more fun Herman Cain would make this. He's gone. We're just going to have to carry on somehow.

Photo by Judy Unger/FoodPix/Getty Images

Tags: Debates, Fox, Iowa, Liveblog, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Primaries, Republicans, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul