Watching Republicans debate from Iowa

The BBC's Washington correspondent James Coomarasamy joined four Republican supporters in Iowa as they watched the sixth debate between Republican presidential candidates.

As the first state to hold its caucuses, Iowa is a key battleground for competing candidates.

The debate, held in Michigan, was also the first for race late-comer Fred Thompson, ex-Tennessee senator and former actor.

But did it actually help any of the voters decide who they will nominate to lead the Republicans?

MATT RANDALL, 32, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER

You can tell it is starting to get serious when they start taking jabs at each other. There were people who exceeded my expectations and there were people who didn't perform as well.

Matt says the debate has not helped clarify his voting intentions

There is a reason we, as Iowans, are first and it is because we are used to seeing this. Sometimes it takes some of us longer because we don't all just make a snap decision.

For better or worse, we believe our decision is more important, because of our position. I'm no closer to deciding but I'm much richer in my knowledge and understanding of where these candidates are.

Thompson hasn't stood out from the crowd.

With all the hype and anticipation, everybody was really excited about Fred coming out and being the guy who would really make a difference. I don't see that.

MARY MOSIMAN, 45, STORY COUNTY AUDITOR

I must admit I haven't spent a lot of time researching anything about Senator Thompson so I'm anxious to get to know what some of his strengths are. He is doing okay tonight. It is a good beginning.

Mary welcomes a more business-like approach to politics

I'm friendly towards Mitt Romney largely because of what he said in this debate.

He has been in the private sector, he has worked the corporate side most of his working years and he is not a life-long politician.

I think government, in general, needs a little more of the business community attitude when it comes to running their government.

ELAINE VW BATH, RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER

[Giuliani] is able to come up with an answer when someone does give him any controversy.

Elaine was impressed by Rudy Giuliani's performance

I like the way he can come back and talk about the things that he wants to do and I think that gives him a plus.

When you think of the president having the rights to make these [national security] decisions, you need a strong leader and you need somebody that the American people believe in.

I think that this debate is probably bringing some of this out for the younger people [who have] to decide who is going to be their president.

MIKE ESPESET, 39, PRESIDENT OF STORY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

They spout all these facts but who do you believe? Who is really going to be the ultimate authority to help me understand who is stating the truth and who is being untruthful?

Mike says he will only make his decision in the final stretch

I've got no idea and I'm not sure if this debate is going to help me get to the bottom of this.

I think Christmas is a pretty good analogy - we know it comes every year on December 25, but there aren't very many people who shop throughout the year for Christmas, but there are a lot of purchases made at the end of the year.

There are those people in the year that will shop early and there are those that will wait for that mad rush. I'm probably one of those mad rushers. If you talk to my wife she would confirm that for you.