Top US Republicans back Bush war strategy in debate

DURHAM, NH, Sep 6 (Reuters) The top Republican presidential contenders pledged support for President George W Bush's strategy in Iraq at a debate overshadowed by the candidate who did not attend -- newly minted contender Fred Thompson.

While eight 2008 White House candidates shared the stage at the University of New Hampshire, Thompson tried to steal the spotlight with an announcement of his candidacy on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' and a television advertisement on Fox News before the debate began.

The contenders welcomed the former senator and Hollywood actor to the race, but wondered where Thompson had been in a fast-moving campaign that has been going strong since January.

Several candidates said he was way behind in meeting voters in key states like New Hampshire that hold early nominating contests.

''I think Fred will add something to this race. I think this is a nomination you have to earn, though. Nobody's going to give it to you,'' said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani yesterday.

The debate occurred before the administration's submission of a crucial report on the Iraq war to Congress next week. Most of the contenders said Bush's strategy of boosting troops in Iraq was succeeding and rejected calls for a quick withdrawal from Iraq.

McCain, whose campaign has become defined in part by his strong support of Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq, corrected former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney when he said the strategy appeared to be working.

''I can assure you, it is more than apparent it is working and we have to rally the American people,'' McCain said, adding he wanted US troops to come home but ''I want our troops home with honor, otherwise we will face catastrophe and genocide in the region.'' That drew a sharp rebuke from Texas Rep Ron Paul, the only Republican presidential contender who opposes the war.

''The people who say there will be a bloodbath are the ones who said it will be a cakewalk or it will be a slam dunk, and that it will be paid for by oil. Why believe them? They've been wrong on everything they've said,'' Paul said.

Paul and former Arkansas Gov Mike Huckabee engaged in a lengthy and lively debate on whether the United States has an obligation to repair the chaos in Iraq before it withdraws US troops.

''We bought it because we broke it,'' Huckabee said.

But Paul said the war was a mistake and should be ended before more lives were lost.

''How long -- what do we have to pay to save face? That's all we're doing, is saving face. It's time we came home,'' he said.

Giuliani leads the Republican race in national polls, although Romney is ahead in polls in New Hampshire and Iowa. Romney won a non-binding straw poll in Iowa last month, the first test of the race, while Giuliani, McCain and Thompson did not participate.

REUTERS RJ MSJ RAI1118