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.
The Tea Party debate was dominated by issues of economy, health and spending cuts.
This debate was crucial even though there is still a long way to go to win the support of the conservatives.
But, in the months ahead, one of these candidates will emerge as a challenger to President Barack Obama.
Al Jazeera's Andy Gallacher reports from Tampa, Florida.
