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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 facing off in their 10th TV debate. The eight Republican presidential hopefuls are facing off in their 10th TV debate, with key national security concerns on the agenda in Washington.
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. In front of an audience of foreign policy experts, candidates were probed on terror suspects, Pakistan, as well as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The debate sees Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker, taking centre stage after surging in the polls. The latest debate sees former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the spotlight after a series of good opinion 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?
As the debate opened in Washington Mr Gingrich expressed his support for continuing and strengthening the surveillance portions of the US Patriot Act.
Ron Paul, an anti-war US House representative, called such provisions "unpatriotic" and said Americans should not be willing to sacrifice liberty for security.
"Yes, you might prevent a crime but then the crime will against be American people," Mr Paul said.
On Pakistan, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann sparred over US involvement with Pakistan.
Mr Perry said he would "not send them a penny" as the country has shown the US "time after time they can't be trusted".
Ms Bachmann cautiously said she would continue sending aid to Pakistan, because they were still sharing intelligence. Pakistan, Ms Bachmann said, was "too nuclear to fail".
Mitt Romney described Pakistan as in need of urgent development. "We need to bring Pakistan into the 21st Century - heck, into the 20th Century."
Deficit '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.