Ten candidates for the Republican nomination in next year's US presidential race took part in a televised debate last night in the key early primary state of New Hampshire.
Arizona Senator John McCain faced down criticism for his support of the latest immigration reform legislation.
Several candidates said they would leave all options, including tactical nuclear weapons, on the table in tackling Iran's nuclear programme.
The debate took place in a stormy New Hampshire with lightning regularly interrupting the sound system inside the debate hall.
The war in Iraq was debated at length.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that even knowing what is known now, President George W Bush did the right thing in invading Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein.
He said Iraq was part of 'the war on terror against the United States'.
Senator McCain acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the early stages of the conflict but he defended again the current troop surge plan.
He faced criticism from all debate participants on the immigration reform legislation now being debated in the Senate.
One participant, Congressman Tom Tancredo from Colorado, went as far as to say he believed it might be time to take a 'time out' on legal immigration.
In national polls Mr Giuliani is leading the race with Mr McCain second and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney third.
One possible candidate who may upset that was not present at last night's debate.
Former Senator and actor Fred Thompson, better known for his role as DA Arthur Branch in the TV series Law and Order, announced late last week he was forming an exploratory committee.
