Seven presidential hopefuls of the Republican Party attended the debate at St. Anslems College in Manchester, New Hampshire, to determine the presidential nominee of the Republican Party.

The debate can have a substantial effect on the primaries and are important chances for the public to compare the candidates side-by-side.

The debate was attended by former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain.

The contenders, who took the stage for almost two hours, debated the gaps that have plagued the Republican Party for most of the past two years.

In addition, the contenders made a unified attack on the Obama administration over the economy, healthcare and budget deficits.

The debate was hosted by CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader.

The next debate will be held in Iowa on August 11, 2011 and will be hosted by the Iowa Republican Party and FOX News. This will be followed by a national debate, hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, NBC and Politico.

The next United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United States on December 17, 2012, will be chosen. Barack Obama, who is eligible for a second and final term as President, has announced that he will seek nomination to be the Democratic Party's candidate in this election.

The 2012 presidential election will coincide with the United States Senate elections where 33 races will be occurring as well as the United States House of Representatives elections to elect the members for the 113th Congress. The election will also encompass eleven gubernatorial races as well as many state legislature races.

Republican presidential hopefuls L-R former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum R-PA, U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann R-MN, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich R-GA, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul R
Republican presidential hopefuls (L-R) former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich (R-GA), former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain pose at the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign at St. Anslems College in Manchester, New Hampshire Reuters
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney L listens as U.S. Rep. Ron Paul R-TX makes a point at the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester, New Hampshire
Republican presidential hopeful former Gov. Mitt Romney was given about 171 percent more face time during the Oct. 11 GOP debate than U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, according to a recent study. Reuters
Republican presidential hopefuls Gingrich and Romney put their hands on their hearts for the national anthem before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester
Republican presidential hopefuls Gingrich and Romney put their hands on their hearts for the national anthem before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester Reuters
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich acknowledges supporters before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich acknowledges supporters before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester Reuters
U.S. Rep. Bachmann talks to the audience after the end of the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester
U.S. Rep. Bachmann talks to the audience after the end of the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester Reuters
Former Massachusetts Governor Romney reacts during first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign at St. Anselms College in Manchester
Former Massachusetts Governor Romney reacts during first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign at St. Anselms College in Manchester Reuters
Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain waves during photo opportunity before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester
Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain waves during photo opportunity before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 campaign in Manchester Reuters
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