(CNN) -- President Barack Obama told a Labor Day crowd in Detroit that he's prepared to fight for a new job growth plan, defend organized labor and take steps to "restore the middle class in America," while five Republican candidates hoping to defeat him next year all called for repealing the major legislation passed so far in Obama's presidency. 

The Republican presidential candidates participating in the Palmetto Freedom Forum in Columbia, South Carolina, which was televised on CNN, were unified in advocating the end of the health care reform law and the Wall Street reform measure passed by a Democratic-led Congress. 

They also all expressed strong anti-abortion views and their belief in marriage being between a man and a woman at the event set up by Sen. Jim DeMint, a leading tea party conservative. 

Meanwhile, in the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, other Republican presidential contenders ripped Obama's handling of the economy and pledged to take an economically battered America in a new direction marked by less spending and fewer regulations. 

The sharply differing visions raised new questions about the ability of top Democrats and Republicans to tackle pressing budgetary and other issues while positioning themselves for what promises to be a bitterly contested campaign next year. 

In a speech that likely previewed his scheduled address Thursday to a joint session of Congress to present a jobs plan, Obama directly challenged Republicans, whom he has accused of obstructing progress in order to score political points. 

"These are tough times for working Americans," Obama told the union-dominated crowd at a rally that included a warm-up from Aretha Franklin. "The time for Washington games is over. The time for action is now." 
what did the Republican candidates participate in?
where was that held?
who did Obama accuse of obstructing progress?
what was Obama prepared to defend?
how many republican candidates were there?
what were they advocating for?
who was Obama addressing in the beginning of the article?
was it a holiday?
which holiday?
which senator was mentioned?
what group does he lead?
which states have early primaries?
who ripped Obama's handling of the economy?
what did they pledge?
how did characterize the American economy?
the Palmetto Freedom Forum
The Republican presidential candidates participating in the Palmetto Freedom Forum
Columbia, South Carolina
the Palmetto Freedom Forum in Columbia, South Carolina
Republicans
 Obama directly challenged Republicans, whom he has accused of obstructing progress
organized labor
 President Barack Obama told a Labor Day crowd in Detroit that he's prepared to fight for a new job growth plan, defend organized labor
five
while five Republican candidates
the end of the health care reform law
 were unified in advocating the end of the health care reform law
a crowd in Detroit
President Barack Obama told a Labor Day crowd in Detroit
yes
President Barack Obama told a Labor Day crowd
Labor Day
President Barack Obama told a Labor Day crowd
Sen. Jim DeMint
set up by Sen. Jim DeMint, a leading tea party conservative. 
tea party
Sen. Jim DeMint, a leading tea party conservative. 
New Hampshire and South Carolina
n the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina
other Republican presidential contenders
other Republican presidential contenders ripped Obama's handling of the economy
spend and regulate less
 pledged to take an economically battered America in a new direction marked by less spending and fewer regulations.
economically battered
pledged to take an economically battered America