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US rivals clash in key TV debates US rivals in heated clash on Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
US presidential candidates have begun key television debates in New Hampshire, three days before primary polls in the north-east state. US Republican presidential candidates have clashed over Iraq in the first of two TV debates being held three days before primary polls in New Hampshire.
Six Republicans have begun their debate while four Democrats will hold their confrontation at 0200. Mike Huckabee accused rival Mitt Romney of switching positions on President George W Bush's troop surge in Iraq - a charge swiftly denied by Mr Romney.
The Democrat debate is the first clash between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama since Mr Obama's Iowa victory. Six Republicans were taking part in the debate, followed by a confrontation among four Democrats.
Meanwhile Massachusetts ex-Governor Mitt Romney won a morale boost, taking the Republican caucus in Wyoming. Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming.
Mr Romney is also closing the gap in New Hampshire on veteran Arizona Senator John McCain as he seeks to recover from coming a poor second in Iowa. The former Massachusetts governor came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor.
But polls suggest Mr Romney is closing the gap in New Hampshire on veteran Sen John McCain.
'Arrogant'
Those three plus former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, anti-war candidate Ron Paul and actor and former senator Fred Thompson were taking part in the debate organised by ABC.
Mr Huckabee began by defending his comments that the president had pursued an "arrogant" and "bunker-mentality" foreign policy.
He then attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq.
"I supported the surge before you did," Mr Huckabee said.
Mr Romney shot back by stating that his accuser was wrong. "Don't try to mischaracterise my position," he said.
Sen McCain joined in by saying that he alone among the Republican contenders had criticised Mr Bush's initial strategy of the Iraq war.
However, he said that "we are succeeding now in Iraq" and that the president should be given credit for that.
Sen McCain and others then voiced support for the administration's overall anti-terror policies.
Reduced field
The Democrat debate features the first clash between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama since Mr Obama's Iowa victory.
Mrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunner
Latest polls suggest that Mrs Clinton's lead in New Hampshire may be shrinking.Latest polls suggest that Mrs Clinton's lead in New Hampshire may be shrinking.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll on Saturday gave Mrs Clinton 32% to Senator Obama's 28%.A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll on Saturday gave Mrs Clinton 32% to Senator Obama's 28%.
Mr Obama - a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois who aims to become the first US black president - and Republican Mike Huckabee emerged victorious in the Iowa caucuses in the first contest of the 2008 election. Mr Obama - a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois who aims to become the first US black president - and Mr Huckabee emerged victorious in the Iowa caucuses in the first contest of the 2008 election.
Iowa and New Hampshire may not necessarily produce a winner from either campaign, but could boost contenders' chances ahead of primaries in larger states.Iowa and New Hampshire may not necessarily produce a winner from either campaign, but could boost contenders' chances ahead of primaries in larger states.
Reduced field The field for the Democrat debate was reduced when Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd pulled out of the campaign after a poor showing in Iowa.
Both debates in New Hampshire are being organised and broadcast by ABC television.
Mr Romney is hoping to boost his campaign after coming a disappointing second in Iowa to Mr Huckabee.
John McCain leads the Republican field in New Hampshire
They are joined by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is focusing his campaign on larger states which vote later in the campaign, anti-war candidate Ron Paul, actor and former Senator Fred Thompson and Senator John McCain.
The field for the Democratic debate was reduced when Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd pulled out of the campaign after a poor showing in Iowa.
Two others, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, were excluded because they failed to finish in the top four in Iowa and have consistently polled below 5% in New Hampshire and national polls.Two others, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, were excluded because they failed to finish in the top four in Iowa and have consistently polled below 5% in New Hampshire and national polls.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama will be joined by John Edwards, who came second in Iowa, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama are facing John Edwards, who came second in Iowa, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
Mr Obama has drawn crowds in New Hampshire with a message of change, but Mrs Clinton is hoping to make up for a disappointing third place in Iowa and re-establish herself as the leading Democrat.Mr Obama has drawn crowds in New Hampshire with a message of change, but Mrs Clinton is hoping to make up for a disappointing third place in Iowa and re-establish herself as the leading Democrat.
The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September, although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September, although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.
The eventual winner will replace President George W Bush, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The eventual winner will replace Mr Bush, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.