The second Republican debate took place on June 13 2011.  It was the first debate that included all the major players.   News was made at the beginning of the debate when Congressman Michelle Bachmann who is the leader of the tea party caucus in the Congress announced that she was seeking the nomination.  The consensus after the debate was that she did an excellent job.  Most observers believed that Romney was the winner of the debate, based on the fact that he was the front-runner and was not hurt by any of the other debaters. The other winner was considered by many to be former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.  In the previous week most of his staff resigned.  He however, did a credible job at the debate of showing that he is still serious candidate.