The dangers of accidental candor  —  After five debates in six weeks, these get-togethers for the Republican presidential candidates were quickly becoming sleep-inducing.  Last night in Las Vegas, though, was at least lively — with time running out, someone lit a fire under the candidates' feet.

Republican Presidential Candidates Debate in Las Vegas  —  LAS VEGAS — Mitt Romney came under withering attack from his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination at a debate here Tuesday night, with Gov. Rick Perry leading an intense and sometimes personal barrage …

The Republican Bickersons  —  That was fun tonight.  Attack, defend, attack and attack some more.  Texas Gov. Rick Perry had some problems in tonight's Republican presidential debate, as he's had before — do we really want to “defund the United Nations”? — but he was a real presence this time …

SLIDESHOW: Meet The 2012 GOPers: Rick Perry  —  “Mitt, you lose all of your standing from my perspective because you hired illegals in your home and you knew about it for a year,” Perry said.  “And the idea that you stand here before us and talk about that you're strong on immigration is on its face the height of hypocrisy.”

NBC Poll: Cain leads in S.C.; tight Fla. race with Romney  —  ‘The road to the convention is going to go through these two states’  —  Below:  —  Deputy political director  —  updated 2011-10-19T10:19:11  —  Former businessman Herman Cain holds a narrow lead in South Carolina's Republican primary …