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Ms. Bartiromo: Hi there. I'm Maria Bartiromo of CNBC. On behalf of the Michigan Republican Party and the University of Michigan-Dearborn, welcome to the first presidential candidates debate focused on the economy. We're coming to you from the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center here in Dearborn, in the heart of the American auto industry, a fitting backdrop to the economic issues facing the American people.

Mr. Matthews: And good evening from me. I'm Chris Matthews of MSNBC. Joining Maria and me in questioning the presidential hopefuls this evening will be John Harwood, chief Washington correspondent for CNBC, and Jerry Seib of the Wall Street Journal. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so in the interest of time, let's get right to it. Maria?

Ms. Bartiromo: OK, Chris. Senator Thompson, this is your first debate in the election. We welcome you.

Mr. Thompson: Thank you.

Ms. Bartiromo: And we kick off with you.

Mr. Thompson: Thank you.

Ms. Bartiromo: The economy is America's greatest strength. In a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News, two-thirds of the American people said that we are either in a recession or headed toward one. Do you agree with that? And, as president, what will you do to ensure economy vibrancy in this country?

Mr. Thompson: I think there is no reason to believe that we're headed for a recession. We're enjoying 22 quarters of successive economic growth that started 2001 and then further in 2003 with the tax cuts that we put in place.
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