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Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire | Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Seven Republican presidential hopefuls have attacked President Barack Obama's economic record in the first major debate of the 2012 campaign. | Seven Republican presidential hopefuls have attacked President Barack Obama's economic record in the first major debate of the 2012 campaign. |
The candidates for the party's nomination also focused criticism on his 2010 overhaul of the healthcare system, pledging to repeal "Obamacare". | 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, preferring to hit at Mr Obama. | They refrained from attacking one another, preferring 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 Afghanistan and Libya also drew 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 a new president was needed to end what he termed "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 criticised Mr Obama's effort to establish a universal healthcare programme. | 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 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. |
Social concerns | Social concerns |
When the debate turned to social issues, traditionally a key concern of Republican voters, five out of seven of the candidates said they would support an amendment to the US constitution banning same-sex marriage. | |
Ron Paul said he opposed one, but added that governments should not be involved in marriage policy at all. | Ron Paul said he opposed one, but added that governments should not be involved in marriage policy at all. |
Mr Cain said individual states should be allowed to decide same-sex marriage policy on their own. | Mr Cain said individual states should be allowed to decide same-sex marriage policy on their own. |
Mr Romney and Mr Santorum said they opposed a law passed in December 2010 to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. | Mr Romney and Mr Santorum said they opposed a law passed in December 2010 to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. |
Mr Gingrich said that the US Army and Marine Corps overwhelmingly opposed ending the ban on gays in the military, so he too opposed doing so. | Mr Gingrich said that the US Army and Marine Corps overwhelmingly opposed ending the ban on gays in the military, so he too opposed doing so. |
However, a 2010 Pentagon survey of 115,000 service members found that 70% believed the impact on their units would be positive, mixed or of no consequence at all. | However, a 2010 Pentagon survey of 115,000 service members found that 70% believed the impact on their units would be positive, mixed or of no consequence at all. |
Other issues discussed included abortion, immigration and the place of church and faith both in the state and in the life of a president. | Other issues discussed included abortion, immigration and the place of church and faith both in the state and in the life of a president. |
Romney's rival? | Romney's rival? |
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. | 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. | |
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 appeared on TV hoping to counter criticism of Mr Obama. | |
He told CNN 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. |