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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 Republican presidential hopefuls are attacking President Barack Obama's economic record in the first major debate of the 2012 campaign.
Candidates opened the debate by attacking President Barack Obama's record on the economy, especially his 2010 overhaul of the healthcare system. The candidates for the party's nomination also focused criticism on his 2010 overhaul of the healthcare system, pledging to repeal "Obamacare".
They refrained from attacking one another, prefering to hit at Mr Obama.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Mr Obama.Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Mr Obama.
The first Republican primary elections do not take place until February.The first Republican primary elections do not take place until February.
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 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.
'Obamacare' anger'Obamacare' anger
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". Early on Mr Romney said Mr Obama had "failed" America, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said a new president was needed to end what he termed "the Obama depression".
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. 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 criticised Mr Obama's marquis effort to establish a universal healthcare programme.
"His report card right now has a big failing grade," Ms Bachmann said. "President Obama is a one-term president.""His report card right now has a big failing grade," Ms Bachmann said. "President Obama is a one-term president."
In addition, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said Mr Obama's regulatory policies were "oppressive" and pledged to "unshackle" business.In addition, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said Mr Obama's regulatory policies were "oppressive" and pledged to "unshackle" business.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said Mr Obama was a "declinist" who viewed America as "one of equals around the world".Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said Mr Obama was a "declinist" who viewed America as "one of equals around the world".
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas faulted the US Federal Reserve's anti-inflationary monetary policy for America's economic woes.Congressman Ron Paul of Texas faulted the US Federal Reserve's anti-inflationary monetary policy for America's economic woes.
Former pizza restaurant mogul Herman Cain of Georgia called for the elimination of the federal capital gains tax to stimulate job growth.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?Romney's rival?
The candidates declined early opportunities to hit at Mr Romney, who has led in early polling. The candidates declined early opportunities to hit at Mr Romney, who has led in early polling but has been criticised for signing a healthcare policy while governor of Massachusetts that is conceptually similar to Mr Obama's programme.
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.
Former US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman was not at the debate but is expected to formally declare his candidacy 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, 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.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.