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 …

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 …

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.”

In fifth debate, Perry finally shows up  —  Twenty-four hours before the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas, an adviser to Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Perry would try a new strategy after a series of lackluster debate performances.  “We're going to pay a little less attention to the rules …