Republican candidates for president gathered in
South Carolina for a Fox News-sponsored debate. Fred Thompson, Mike
Huckabee, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul traded
shots over foreign policy and a possible recession.
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A Hillary Clinton operative and intense verbal sparring between Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney made Wednesday night's Republican debate a lively affair.
Former senator and actor Fred Thompson finally joined his fellow Republicans at a debate, hosted by MSNBC/CNBC. Thompson had to take a certain amount of ribbing
when he joined fellow Republican presidential hopefuls at a debate. It
was his first one. Also, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney traded shots for a bit. Dick Brennan has
a wrap-up.
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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has accepted an invitation to joining a presidential debate planned in Des Moines next August sponsored by ABC News, his first major commitment to the state since dropping from a straw poll planned later that month.
"As you are aware, Mayor Giuliani is committed to providing voters with as much information as possible in order for them to evaluate their next president and he strongly believes that debates are in important part of the electoral process," said campaign manager Michael DuHaime, in a letter to George Stephanopoulos of ABC News.
The Republican candidates for president faced off in
New Hampshire for their third televised debate. As Rudy Giuliani tried
to answer a controversial question, he was interrupted by a technical
problem caused by an electrical storm rumbling above.
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Just when you thought it was safe to call Rudy the clear front-runner... look who's entering the race, stage right, of course: Fred Thompson. The man with the gravelly Southern drawl and gravitas that's been practiced on stage on and both the small and big screen will soon stand side-by-side with all the other Presidential wannabees.
Read the full blog by WNYW's Dick Brennan HERE.
The University of South Carolina was not in session and was somewhat
deserted, except for the campaign imports dressed to look like students. Nice
try! There can't be THAT many Tom Tancredo fans at THIS school!
There were Young Republicans, Old Republicans and young and old reporters.
To read the full blog by WNYW's Dick Brennan, click HERE.
Ten men vying for a chance to run for the White House as their party's nominee took the state in South Carolina to make their case to conservatives in one of the most conservative states in the Union. Rudy Giuliani, often seen as the most liberal of the candidates, defended his views and political record. For a recap and analysis, click HERE.
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. --
Under pressure from their rivals, the leading Republican presidential contenders defended their conservative credentials on abortion, gun control and tax cuts in a feisty debate Tuesday night.
"Republicans should be uniting" to defeat the Democrats, implored former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, rather than stressing their differences with one another.
Giuliani, a supporter of abortion rights, wasn't the only contender to field pointed questions.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney conceded he had signed legislation banning assault weapons but added he is a supporter of the rights of gun owners under the Second Amendment.
Arizona Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he would make sure that President Bush's tax cuts are made permanent, even though he said he had voted against because they were not accompanied by spending cuts.
"If we don't make them permanent then every business farm and family will have to adjust their budgets to what is in effect a tax increase," he said.
All three men sought to stand their ground -- and protect their standing in the presidential race -- in a 90-minute debate at the University of South Carolina.
Ten Republican candidates for President face off Tuesday night in their second debate. Front-runner Rudy Giuliani has his work cut out for him as his opponents are likely to challenge his moderate stance on issues like abortion.
