US Republican candidates hold debate

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-12-2008 08:40

Six US Republican presidential rivals have debated in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

U.S. Republican presidential candidates, former U.S.  Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN), former New York City  mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and  former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (L-R),  talk onstage at the Republican Party presidential  debate, South Carolina January 10, 2008.  REUTERS/Jim Young

The state's primary could further narrow the field of contenders.

The 90-minute debate touched on economic issues, foreign policy and immigration. They were asked about last week's Persian Gulf incident in which Iranian speed boats allegedly harassed US warships.

Several candidates insisted they would take stronger steps against Iran in the future.

While the debate was held in South Carolina, the Michigan primary is next on the campaign calendar on Tuesday where Romney, Huckabee and McCain are the principal contenders.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton visited Las Vegas neighborhoods on Thursday, following her unexpected triumph on Tuesday in New Hampshire's primary. She led a discussion on the mortgage crisis.

On Thursday, Senator John Kerry embraced Barack Obama in Charleston, South Carolina, at a rally ahead of the state's January 26 Democratic primary. Almost half of the southern state's Democratic electorate is black.

Kerry snubbed both Clinton and his 2004 running mate John Edwards. Edwards has vowed to stay in the race until the Democratic party's national residential nominating convention this summer.

Edwards was also in Charleston, South Carolina, on Thursday.

He responded to word of the endorsement with a diplomatic statement, saying these are decisions individuals have to make for themselves.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei