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Republicans 2012: Newt Gingrich faces TV debate focus Republicans 2012: Newt Gingrich faces TV debate focus
(40 minutes later)
The eight Republican presidential hopefuls are due to lock horns in their 10th TV debate at 2000 EST (0100 GMT). The eight Republican presidential hopefuls are facing off in their 10th TV debate.
The debate will focus on national security, but questions are likely to include the US deficit, one day after a congressional panel admitted failure in efforts to save $1.2tn (£760bn). The debate focuses on national security, but questions are likely to include the US economy, one day after a congressional panel admitted failure in deficit-reduction efforts.
The debate sees Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker, taking centre stage after surging in the polls.The debate sees Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker, taking centre stage after surging in the polls.
The first Republican nominating contest will be on 3 January 2012 in Iowa.The first Republican nominating contest will be on 3 January 2012 in Iowa.
Mr Gingrich is the latest in a series of Republican contenders to join former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney at the top of the polls.Mr Gingrich is the latest in a series of Republican contenders to join former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney at the top of the polls.
In a recent Qunnipiac University poll, Mr Gingrich led Mr Romney by 26% to 22%, while a CNN poll shows both candidates in a tie.In a recent Qunnipiac University poll, Mr Gingrich led Mr Romney by 26% to 22%, while a CNN poll shows both candidates in a tie.
At various points in the election cycle Representative Michele Bachmann, Texas Governor Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain have each seen a surge in support - only to find their poll ratings slip away.At various points in the election cycle Representative Michele Bachmann, Texas Governor Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain have each seen a surge in support - only to find their poll ratings slip away.
Analysts say the conservative Republican base is dissatisfied with the prospect of Mitt Romney as their nominee, and has been searching instead for a known conservative candidate capable of taking on Mr Obama in November 2012.Analysts say the conservative Republican base is dissatisfied with the prospect of Mitt Romney as their nominee, and has been searching instead for a known conservative candidate capable of taking on Mr Obama in November 2012.
Debt security threat?Debt security threat?
Foreign policy and national security have largely taken a back seat to domestic and economic issues during the campaign so far.Foreign policy and national security have largely taken a back seat to domestic and economic issues during the campaign so far.
But the failure of the congressional "super-committee" on Monday has raised the prospect of deep spending reductions to military and homeland security budgets.But the failure of the congressional "super-committee" on Monday has raised the prospect of deep spending reductions to military and homeland security budgets.
Many of the presidential candidates have called the $15tn US deficit a national security threat.Many of the presidential candidates have called the $15tn US deficit a national security threat.
With the exception of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who served as US ambassador to China, the Republican candidates have little foreign policy experience.With the exception of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who served as US ambassador to China, the Republican candidates have little foreign policy experience.
In a foreign policy debate on 12 November the candidates avoided major slip-ups. But a confused answer by Herman Cain's on Libya the following week was a new blow to his campaign, already suffering after a series of sexual harassment allegations.In a foreign policy debate on 12 November the candidates avoided major slip-ups. But a confused answer by Herman Cain's on Libya the following week was a new blow to his campaign, already suffering after a series of sexual harassment allegations.