Debaters Ask: Where's George?

Five Republican presidential candidates gathered Friday for their first debate, but the focus was on the rival who was not there: front-runner George W. Bush.

The Texas governor opted to skip the New Hampshire forum weeks ago, as his $57 million campaign kitty and sizable lead in public opinion polls provided no real incentive for a face-to-face encounter with his challengers.

Gary Bauer, Steve Forbes, Orrin Hatch, Alan Keyes and John McCain agreed to participate in the Friday night forum, sponsored by New Hampshire Public Television, The Union Leader of Manchester and New England Cable News. C-Span planned to broadcast the session live at 7 p.m. EST.

"I think it's going to be an appetizer for people," Forbes said. "They're going to want more real debates, not just an hour session. They're going to want all the candidates involved and so I think it's going to put pressure on Gov. Bush to be more participatory in the future."

Bauer said Thursday that Bush's no-show could make it harder for the governor "to convince the voters of New Hampshire that he's got a governing vision."

He added, "I'm sorry that Gov. Bush is continuing to play this delay game, hoping to force everybody out of the issue by burying them with big dollars."

Bush, who had campaign stops in New Hampshire on Friday, said he had committed to a fund-raiser for Vermont Republicans at the same time as the debate.

He also declined to participate in an Oct. 28 debate because it conflicted with a ceremony honoring his wife, Laura, at her alma mater, Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Friday's debate comes one day after the latest New Hampshire poll showed Bush with a commanding lead but McCain strengthening his position in second place.

In a telephone survey of 600 likely Republican voters, Bush had the support of 42 percent, about what he had in August. McCain had 26 percent, 10 points better than in August, with most of his gains coming at the expense of other candidates.

The meeting also comes two days after Elizabeth Dole, the lone woman seeking the GOP nomination, announced she was quitting the race because of difficulty in raising money.

Besides Bush, one prominent GOP candidate who also skipped the forum was conservative commentator Pat Buchanan. He is expected to announce Monday that he is leaving the Republican Party to seek the nomination of the Reform Party.