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Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Seven contenders for the Republican presidential nomination have begun facing off in the first major debate of the 2012 campaign cycle. | |
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Barack Obama. | Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Barack Obama. |
At the forum in New Hampshire, his six opponents are expected to position themselves as his primary rival. | |
The first primary elections to choose party candidates in the 2012 race do not take place until February. | The first primary elections to choose party candidates in the 2012 race do not take place until February. |
The president's handling of the economy, health care reform and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya are expected to draw fire from the Republican field at the debate. | |
"The country has had enough of soaring rhetoric and fluffy speeches that don't deliver," former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who will be participating in the debate, said ahead of the debate in an attack on Mr Obama's reputation as an orator. | |
"People are worried about jobs and the economy and they want a leader who is seasoned and tested." | "People are worried about jobs and the economy and they want a leader who is seasoned and tested." |
Mr Romney - a strong fund raiser and seasoned campaigner - is seen as the man for others to beat. | |
But analysts say he is yet to convince conservatives he really is one of them, and the media that he has the panache needed to maintain interest and momentum. | But analysts say he is yet to convince conservatives he really is one of them, and the media that he has the panache needed to maintain interest and momentum. |
Gingrich staff quit | Gingrich staff quit |
As well as Mr Pawlenty and Mr Romney, the other presidential hopefuls participating in the debate on the campus of Saint Anselm College, include: | |
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Some analysts say the biggest competition at the debate could be among candidates seeking to establish themselves as the prime alternative to Mitt Romney. | Some analysts say the biggest competition at the debate could be among candidates seeking to establish themselves as the prime alternative to Mitt Romney. |
Mr Gingrich's nascent campaign was hit last week by the resignation of most of his senior campaign staff, who cited strategic differences with the presidential hopeful. | Mr Gingrich's nascent campaign was hit last week by the resignation of most of his senior campaign staff, who cited strategic differences with the presidential hopeful. |
Ms Bachmann, and former US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, are expected to formally declare their candidacies soon. | Ms Bachmann, and former US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, are expected to formally declare their candidacies soon. |
There is still much speculation about whether former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who has possibly the best name recognition of any of the field, will run for president. | There is still much speculation about whether former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who has possibly the best name recognition of any of the field, will run for president. |
Despite high unemployment in the US, President Barack Obama heads most polls against the Republican hopefuls - although a recent ABC-Washington Post poll showed him in a surprise dead heat with Mr Romney. | Despite high unemployment in the US, President Barack Obama heads most polls against the Republican hopefuls - although a recent ABC-Washington Post poll showed him in a surprise dead heat with Mr Romney. |
Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is appearing on TV interviews hoping to counter criticism of Mr Obama. | Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is appearing on TV interviews hoping to counter criticism of Mr Obama. |
He told CNN that the declared candidates so far did not have a track record of creating jobs, and said that economic pain in the US began under the Republican presidency of George W Bush before Mr Obama took office. | He told CNN that the declared candidates so far did not have a track record of creating jobs, and said that economic pain in the US began under the Republican presidency of George W Bush before Mr Obama took office. |
The state of New Hampshire is an important early-voting state and is expected to hold its primary election to pick a candidate in February 2012. | The state of New Hampshire is an important early-voting state and is expected to hold its primary election to pick a candidate in February 2012. |