Sweet GOP NH debate blog special. Report 1. The Fred factor.

WASHINGTON–At the Fox News GOP debate the evening kicked off asking the Republican 2008 White House rivals what they thought of the entry, finally, of former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) in the race. Generated wisecracks, nothing serious to hurt Thompson. Thompson announces Wednesday night on a Jay Leno show he taped earlier today.

“I was scheduled to be on Jay Leno tonight, but I gave up my spot to somebody else because I’d rather be here in New Hampshire,” wisecracked former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani joked Thompson merely played him on “Law and Order.” (On Thursday, Giuliani hits Lake Forest for a fund-raiser and stumps in Des Plaines.)

No jokes, just Giuliani jabs aimed at the Democratic frontrunners, not mentioning Obama, Clinton or Edwards by name, accusing them of not having any experience running anything.

The ” three leading Democratic candidates,” said Giuliani, “neither of which have run a city, a state or a business.”