Fox Scores Top Cable News GOP Debate So Far

Rick Perry cited Tim Tebow, Michele Bachmann slammed Newt Gingrich, and the cable network scored some monster numbers, second only to ABC’s last Sunday

It wasn't Mitt. It wasn't Newt. Instead, it looks like Fox News was the big winner of Thursday night's Republican presidential debate. 

The showdown in the early primary state of Iowa was the highest-rated cable news debate so far this year in both total viewers and in the key news demographic of 25-54 years old.

The debate averaged 6.7 million viewers with 1.9 million in the 25-54 demographic, besting Fox's previous debate high held in September. 

Beyond the numbers, Sioux City, Iowa, served up a heaping helping of political theater: Rick Perry provided a mock-worthy parallel of himself with Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow; Michele Bachmann implied that Newt Gingrich was talking down to her in a sexist fashion; and the entire Republican field bent over backwards emphasizing their God-fearing ways. 

The debate is second most popular debate in this seemingly endless season of GOP match-ups: ABC's broadcast last Saturday scored 7.6 million viewers with 2.1 million coming in the 25-54 demographic. 

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