The Iraq issue remained at the top of the agenda in the latest round of live TV debates by Republican runners in the 2008 presidential election Wednesday night.
Aired by Fox News, eight of the nine Republican candidates stood side by side in a hall of the New Hampshire University making their stances known on familiar issues such as illegal immigration, family values and abortion rights.
Those on stage were: former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Senator John McCain, Senator Sam Brownback, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Representative Tom Tancredo, Representative Duncan Hunter and Representative Ron Paul.
Like the four previous Republican TV debates, the Iraq issue dominated, especially when Rep. Ron Paul, a staunch anti-war activist, spewed forth strong remarks against the White House's war policy.
"When we make a mistake, it is our obligation to correct the mistake, not to continue the mistake," he said.
Paul also warned that the Republican Party would be dragged to defeat in 2008 by the Iraq war policy.
The warning was dismissed by Huckabee, who said, "Even if we lose the election, we should not lose our honor."
The debate had an interactive aspect, as the TV host selected outside citizens at random to question the candidates.
Soon after the debate, about 30 New Hampshire voters were interviewed on the candidates' performance, while the public were invited to vote on the winner of the debate through calls and texts.
The only absentee, former Senator and veteran actor Fred Thompson, who joined the race shortly before the debate started, was both welcomed and challenged by his rivals.
"This is a nomination you have to earn," said Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, "Nobody's going to give it to you. Nobody's going to grant it to you."
Instead of joining the verbal contest, the 65-year-old, who starred in the TV series "Law & Order," chose a more Hollywood style to make his debut by releasing a TV commercial and a webcast to attract public attention.
Following the TV debate on Aug. 5 in the early voting state of Iowa, Romney beat his rivals in the Iowa straw poll. He also led in New Hampshire, another early voting state. However, it should be noted that Giuliani and McCain did not take part in the Iowa showdown.
Giuliani remains top in national polling.
Source: Xinhua
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