Mitt Romney is the current front-runner in the Republican field Seven contenders vying to be the Republican candidate in the 2012 US presidential elections are due to face off in the first major debate of the campaign cycle.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Barack Obama.
The nationally televised debate takes place in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The first primary elections to choose party candidates in the 2012 race do not take place until February.
“This marks the start of a new phase for the campaign as more people pay attention and the candidates begin to engage,” Fergus Cullen, a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
Mr Romney – a strong fund raiser and seasoned campaigner – is currently seen as the man for others to beat.
But analysts say he is yet to convince conservatives he really is one of them, and the media that he has the panache needed to maintain interest and momentum.
The other presidential hopefuls attending the debate on the campus of Saint Anselm College, include: Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota; businessman Herman Cain of Georgia; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia; Rep Ron Paul of Texas; former Minnesota Gov Tim Pawlenty; and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
Some analysts say the biggest competition at the debate could be among candidates seeking to establish themselves as the prime alternative to Mitt Romney.
Mr Gingrich’s nascent campaign was hit last week by the resignation of most of his senior campaign staff, who cited strategic differences with the presidential hopeful.
Ms Bachmann, and former US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, are expected to formally declare their candidacies soon.
There is still much speculation about whether former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who has possibly the best name recognition of any of the field, will run for president.
Despite high unemployment in the US, President Barack Obama heads most polls against the Republican hopefuls – although a recent ABC-Washington Post poll showed him in a surprise dead heat with Mr Romney.
The president’s handling of the economy, health care reform and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya are all expected to draw fire from the Republican field at the debate.
Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is appearing on TV interviews connected to the debate to counter criticism of Mr Obama.
The state of New Hampshire, an important early-voting state which is expected to hold its primary election to pick a candidate in February 2012.
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