GOP Candidates Take on the Elephant Not in the Room

Durham, N.H., Sept. 6, 2007 — -- Eight Republican presidential candidates stood on the same stage in Durham, N.H., Wednesday night for their fifth debate and the usual issues of illegal immigration, Iraq and national security were front and center.

But the first thing the candidates were asked about? The elephant not in the room.

Fred Thompson, the newly announced candidate in the Republican field, was notably absent from the debate. He was taping an appearance on "The Tonight Show" in Burbank, Calif., just before the debate kicked off here in this key early primary state.

Fox News moderator Brit Hume noted that without even officially entering the race, Thompson was placing second or third in national and state polls, which raises the question: Who was smarter, Thompson for waiting or these eight candidates for being out on the trail and at the debate?

"Well, Brit, I was scheduled to be on 'Jay Leno' tonight, but I gave up my slot for somebody else because I'd rather be in New Hampshire with these fine people," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said.

"You know, one thing I know about New Hampshire, and I know well, is that the people of New Hampshire expect to see you. They expect to see you a lot," Arizona Sen. John McCain said.

"And they expect to see you at town hall meetings and at places all over this great state of New Hampshire, and they expect to examine you before they make up their mind."

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani drew laughter from the audience for saying that Thompson has done "a pretty good job of playing my part on 'Law & Order.' I personally prefer the real thing."

Illegal immigration was the first issue the candidates addressed and it is one that fueled a back and forth between the Romney and Giuliani campaigns over the last month. Wednesday night marked the first time the two candidates engaged in head-to-head debate on this issue and neither candidate backed down from his positions and rhetoric.

Romney said on the issue of immigration, he and Giuliani "just simply disagree."