Why Perry went there  —  The Texas governor went into Tuesday night's debate looking for a reaction — and he got one.

Perry Commits to Flat Tax, Reforming Entitlements  —  In a brief speech this morning at the Western Republican Conference, Texas governor Rick Perry announced that in six days he would reveal an “economic pro-growth package that will create growth” and encourage investment in America.

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 …

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.

Bickering  —  Newt Gingrich had the line of the night toward the end of the debate when he complained that the moderator encouraged a level of bickering that could only make it harder for the GOP to get the White House.  —  I don't think Anderson Cooper was really trying to sink the Republican nominee for president in this debate.

Romney still the best at this, Perry not as bad, and the loser?  Anderson Cooper  —  Well, it was the feistiest debate — Rick Perry even stayed awake for the whole thing, which was a nice change — and we had the welcome (at least for entertainment purposes) return of the Crazy GOP Audience thing …

Reid says government jobs must take priority over private-sector jobs  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday said Congress needs to worry about government jobs more than private-sector jobs, and that this is why Senate Democrats are pushing a bill aimed at shoring up teachers and first responders.