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At the Bloomberg/Washington Post debate Tuesday night, the Republican candidates for president opened things up by blaming the federal government for the financial meltdown the ongoing financial problems. The debate started on a more serious note than other ones, with each candidate being introduced simply by name and without any fanfare and the questions on the economy started immediately. The candidates lay blame with too much government regulation—specifically calling out Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Barney Frank for pushing through the 2010 bill designed to increase Wall Street regulation. “It was the federal government that pushed these rules,” said Michele Bachmann, and she was met with agreement by the government bills are killing the business community and thus causing the financial collapse. Mitt Romney stopped short of denouncing all bailouts, but claimed he was "not interested" in any bailouts if he is elected. Newly-energized Herman Cain continued to tout his 9-9-9 economic plan.