WASHINGTON — Seven Republicans will participate in the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 political cycle, the debate’s sponsors announced Friday.
The June 13 two-hour debate at St. Anselm College will mark the first time former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann have appeared in such a forum. Also scheduled to participate are former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, businessman Hermain Cain, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Pawlenty, Paul, Cain and Santorum were among those debating in South Carolina last month.
New Hampshire traditionally holds the nation’s first presidential primary. Romney, the polls’ frontrunner in the state, declared his candidacy Thursday. Bachmann has not formally declared but a decision is expected shortly, and Santorum is expected to announce a decision next week. The others are all in the race.
Absent will be prospective candidates Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor; Rudolph Giuliani, former New York City mayor; and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. All were invited but declined.
Palin’s bus tour rolled through the state Thursday, but she told Manchester TV station WMUR of the debate, “That’s quite soon. So, no I don’t think I’m going to be there. Thank you for asking though.”
The debate is being sponsored by WMUR, CNN and the New Hampshire Union-Leader.
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