Presidential debate to draw supporters, opponents

By Kathy Barks Hoffman

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 9 2011 6:40 p.m. MST

In a Monday, Nov. 7, 2011 photo, students walk past the front entrance of the O'Rena at Oakland University, in Auburn Hills, Mich., as it is being prepared for Wednesday's GOP presidential debate. The presidential contenders will gather Wednesday night in Michigan for a CNBC debate designed to focus squarely on voters’ economic worries.

Oakland Press, Vaughn Gurganian, Associated Press

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Summary

More than 1,000 GOP activists are applauding as they listen to a Republican presidential debate at Oakland University in Rochester, about 35 miles north of Detroit.

ROCHESTER, Mich. — More than 1,000 GOP activists are applauding as they listen to a Republican presidential debate at Oakland University in Rochester, about 35 miles north of Detroit.

The audience wasn't happy Wednesday night when CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo asked Herman Cain about allegations of sexual harassment, booing as she voiced her question.

Many of the eight GOP candidates criticized the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler.

Democrats this week have been targeting Michigan native Mitt Romney, who won the state's GOP primary in 2008 and was among the most outspoken against the bailout.

Romney said during the debate that he supported a managed bankruptcy for the two automakers rather than a government bailout.

President Barack Obama has promoted the bailout, saying it saved over a million jobs.

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