Stars sit out US Republican debate

Tim Pawlenty is seen as the most credible candidate in Thursday's debate Related Stories The first debate on the road to the Republican 2012 presidential nomination is being held with most major potential candidates absent from the stage. In South Carolina on Thursday, five men were expected to debate the US economy, the budget and healthcare, and to take shots at President Barack Obama. But only ex-Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is seen as a credible candidate for the Republicans in 2012. While Mr Obama is seen as vulnerable, the field is slow to take shape. The debate - hosted by the South Carolina Republican Party and broadcast on Fox News - includes Mr Pawlenty, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman Ron Paul and former pizza restaurant magnate Herman Cain.A string of well-known potential contenders are sitting out the debate. They include former Alaska Governor and 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, is also not attending, and none of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, real estate magnate and reality television star Donald Trump and former Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman will take to the stage. Herman Cain is the former chief executive of Godfather's Pizza Mr Obama's poll numbers indicate he is vulnerable, due in large part to the poor state of the US economy. But a host of factors have left leading Republicans shy of jumping into the campaign, analysts say. They include the uncertain role of the populist Tea Party, the consolidation of power among hard-right conservative Republicans and the perceived weakness of would-be front-runner Mr Romney. Mr Obama's fund-raising prowess is also seen as a factor dissuading potential opponents. By contrast, in May 2007 - when both Republican and Democratic nominations were open - a South Carolina Republican debate included two sitting senators, four former governors, three US congressmen, and a former New York City mayor. The first balloting of the 2012 primary campaign will be the Iowa caucus on 6 February 2012. Meanwhile, the Associated Press, America's most wide-reaching news agency, has said it is boycotting Thursday's debate to protest against the Fox News channel's restrictions on coverage by its photographers.This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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