Republicans Seek Approval From Iowa Social Conservatives

Republican presidential candidates have gotten a chance to be up close and personal during a forum of social conservatives in early-voting Iowa.

At the event sponsored by a Christian group, Newt Gingrich admitted taking the advice of a recovering alcoholic to soothe the demons he'd treated for years with his own national ambition.

Businessman Herman Cain didn't address sexual harassment allegations, but did acknowledge not being home enough as he built a national restaurant chain. He credited his marriage with helping him after being diagnosed with cancer in 2006.

Rick Santorum tearfully confessed to having resisted loving his severely disabled daughter, while Michele Bachmann described the pain and uncertainty of her parents' divorce when she was a teenager.

Texas' two candidates, Ron Paul and Rick Perry, were less forthcoming about their personal lives. Conspicuous by their absence were Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)