GOP Debate Highlights: Newt Gingrich Denies Open Marriage Request, Slams CNN and Mitt Romney

Another Republican debate has come and gone, and as usual there was no shortage of fireworks as Newt Gingrich clashed with his rivals ... and CNN's John King.

Amid reports that Newt asked Marianne Gingrich for an open marriage while cheating on her with Callista Bisek in 1999, King led off the GOP debate with that topic.

Newt was not happy, and he let King know it ...

Newt Gingrich Reams Out John King

Reaming out the “destructive, vicious, negative” media rather than his ex-wife, who raised these accusations yesterday, Gingrich said he was appalled by CNN.

Newt, who went on to divorce Marianne and marry Callista in 2000 (they are still married), punctuated his lengthy answer by saying, “The story is false.”

Some other highlights of the second South Carolina debate this week, and the last before Saturday's critical primary in the Palmetto State included:

• Rick Santorum saying Barack Obama stands for “economic squalor”
• Mitt Romney saying "maybe" he'll release his tax returns sometime
• Santorum repeatedly criticizing Newt's grandiosity and stability
• Gingrich and Santorum claiming Romney is not really pro-life
• Ron Paul fans yelling for their man to get more screen time

With time running out for all candidates not named Mitt Romney to post a win and halt his march toward the Republican nomination, the tension was high.

Can any of them do it? We'll find out by tomorrow night. We've posted the entire GOP debate, and invite you to share your feedback with us, after the jump:

South Carolina Republican Debate (1/19/12)