The seven men and one woman, all hoping to run for the Republican presidential nomination in the US, have been battling it out on television.<br /><br />The Tea Party debate was dominated by issues of economy, health and spending cuts. <br /><br />This debate was crucial even though there is still a long way to go to win the support of the conservatives. <br /><br />But, in the months ahead, one of these candidates will emerge as a challenger to President Barack Obama. <br /><br />Al Jazeera's Andy Gallacher reports from Tampa, Florida.
