Iraq, Iran and Hillary Clinton were major topics of discussion in the first Republican presidential candidates debate, held Thursday in California.  VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more on what this first debate tells us about the Republican presidential field from Washington.

Ten Republican presidential hopefuls answer questions during first primary debate of 2008 election, 03 May 2007

As expected, all but one of the 10 Republican contenders expressed support for President Bush's strategy in the war in Iraq.

But most of them also took a very tough line on the government in Iran.  Arizona Senator John McCain was one of several candidates who said the United States must be prepared to confront Iran over its potential nuclear weapons capabilities.

"My greatest fear is that the Iranians acquire a nuclear weapon and give it to a terrorist organization and there is a real threat of them doing that," he said.

McCain has emerged as perhaps the most vocal Republican candidate in support of the U.S. troop surge strategy in Iraq.

But McCain also noted during the debate that the U.S. badly mismanaged the Iraq war for four years.

That theme of criticizing the Bush administration for its handling of Iraq combined with a commitment to continue the U.S. military effort there was echoed by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

John McCain, left, and Rudy Giuliani greet each other after first Republican presidential primary debate of the 2008 election, 03 May 2007

"I think that is something we now understand was a mistake.  But rather than simply walking away and leaving the Middle East in complete disastrous chaos that will spread in the region and to the rest of the world, it is important that we finish the job and that we do it right," he said.

The only exception to the tough talk about Iraq and Iran came from Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

Paul describes himself as an old fashioned conservative Republican who opposes a powerful role for the federal government in shaping both domestic and foreign policy.

"I am suggesting very strongly that we should have a foreign policy of non-intervention," he said.

Paul and some of the other lesser-known contenders struggled to gain the spotlight as they competed with the likes of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Giuliani has led the Republican presidential field in public opinion polls for months, based largely on the leadership he demonstrated in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

But Giuliani's views on some domestic issues have already brought opposition from social conservatives, a key activist group within the Republican Party.

During the debate, Giuliani was the only one of the candidates to express support for abortion rights.

"In my case, I hate abortion," he said.  "I would encourage someone to not take that option.  But ultimately since it is an issue of conscience, I would respect a woman's right to make a different choice."

Giuliani's lead in the polls has dipped in recent weeks.  Pollster Peter Brown of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut says Giuliani's moderate position on social issues may be costing him support.

"There are many within the Republican Party who think the fact that Mayor Giuliani supports abortion rights, has supported gay rights and is supporting gun control makes him not the type of candidate that usually wins Republican primaries," he explained.  "And it may well be that those attacks are starting to bear some fruit."

Several political analysts and commentators who watched the debate said former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney may have gained the most from the forum because, in their view, Romney looked the most presidential of the ten contenders.

Mitt Romney answers a question during first Republican presidential primary debate, 03 May 2007

Romney is less well known than McCain and Giuliani, but he runs third among active candidates in most of the polls.  But those same surveys also indicate concern about Romney's membership in the Mormon Church, an issue he addressed during the debate.

"This is a nation, after all, that wants a leader who is a person of faith, but we do not choose our leader based on which church they go to," he said.

One issue all the Republican contenders seem to agree on was their desire to keep Democrat Hillary Clinton from winning the presidency next year.  Asked about the prospect of former President Bill Clinton returning to the White House if his wife won the election, the Republican candidates responded with laughter.