PARTICIPANTS:
Representative Michele Bachmann (MN);
Herman Cain (GA);
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (GA);
Representative Ron Paul (TX);
Former Governor Tim Pawlenty (MN);
Former Governor Mitt Romney (MA); and
Former Senator Rick Santorum (PA)

MODERATOR:
John King (CNN)

JOHN KING: Welcome to Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the first Republican presidential debate in this first-in-the-nation primary state. Behind me on this stage, the Republican candidates for president appearing together on the same stage for the first time tonight.

And tonight’s debate will be different than any presidential debate you’ve ever seen. Over the course of the next two hours, in addition to questions from myself and journalists from our partners, WMUR and the New Hampshire Union Leader, we’ll have questions from voters here in this great first-in-the-nation primary state and from voters watching across the country.

We’ve also asked the candidates to answer the questions that they’re asked, rather than the question they might have wished to be asked.

That’s enough – uh-huh – that’s enough for me tonight. Let’s get straight to the people of New Hampshire. Now, our first question comes from a voter right here in the Granite State.