DHAKA: Senator Marco Rubio was attacked by several Republican rivals for the party’s nomination to run for the White House in a fractious TV debate.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie tore into Rubio, a rising force in the polls, as inexperienced and scripted, reports the BBC.

The Florida senator, also assailed by frontrunner Donald Trump, fought back by attacking President Barack Obama.

The debate in New Hampshire comes four days before the state picks its presidential nominee in each party.

Several of the seven Republicans on stage have staked much on this state, and the pressure seemed to provoke several points of conflict.

The debate - as it happened

One of the testiest moments at the debate in Manchester was when Christie lambasted Rubio.

‘You have not been involved in a consequential decision, where you had to be held accountable, you just simply haven't,’ said Christie.

He accused the Florida senator of ‘truancy’ by missing Senate votes and said his eloquent speeches were ineffective in improving the lives of a single American.

But Rubio, who was a strong third in the Iowa vote on Monday, attacked him for not immediately returning to New Jersey from the campaign trail during the recent snowstorm.

The night got off to a bizarre start when Ben Carson missed his entrance to the debate and was left standing in the wings by debate hosts ABC News.

BDST: 1306 HRS, FEB 07, 2016
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