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Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire
(40 minutes later)
  
Seven contenders for the Republican presidential nomination have begun facing off in the first major debate of the 2012 campaign cycle.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. Candidates opened the debate by attacking President Barack Obama's record on the economy, especially his 2010 overhaul of the healthcare system.
At the forum in New Hampshire, his six opponents are expected to position themselves as his primary rival. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Mr Obama.
The first primary elections to choose party candidates in the 2012 race do not take place until February. The first Republican primary elections 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 president's handling of the economy and healthcare reform quickly drew criticism, while his policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya were also expected to draw fire during the debate at Saint Anselm College.
"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. 'Obamacare' anger
"People are worried about jobs and the economy and they want a leader who is seasoned and tested." Early on Mr Romney said Mr Obama had "failed" America, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said "we need a new president to end the Obama depression".
Mr Romney - a strong fund raiser and seasoned campaigner - is seen as the man for others to beat. Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, a favourite of the anti-tax Tea Party movement, said she had filed regulatory paperwork to enter the race officially, and hit out at Mr Obama's healthcare overhaul bill.
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. "His report card right now has a big failing grade," Ms Bachmann said. "President Obama is a one-term president."
Gingrich staff quit In addition, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said Mr Obama's regulatory policies were "oppressive" and pledged to "unshackle" business.
As well as Mr Pawlenty and Mr Romney, the other presidential hopefuls participating in the debate on the campus of Saint Anselm College, include: Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said Mr Obama was a "declinist" who viewed America as "one of equals around the world".
  • Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota
  • Businessman Herman Cain of Georgia
    •
  • Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia
  • Rep Ron Paul of Texas
  • Former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
    •
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas faulted the US Federal Reserve's anti-inflationary monetary policy for America's economic woes.
Some analysts say the biggest competition at the debate could be among candidates seeking to establish themselves as the prime alternative to Mitt Romney. Former pizza restaurant mogul Herman Cain of Georgia called for the elimination of the federal capital gains tax to stimulate job growth.
Romney's rival?
The candidates declined early opportunities to hit at Mr Romney, who has led in early polling.
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. Former US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman was not at the debate but is expected to formally declare his candidacy 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, Mr 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.