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Republicans target Mitt Romney in South Carolina debate Republicans target Mitt Romney in South Carolina debate
(40 minutes later)
A freshly trimmed field of five Republican presidential candidates are holding their latest televised debate - hours after Jon Huntsman quit the race. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's business and political record has come under attack on all sides in the latest televised debate.
It is one of the last chances for rivals of front-runner Mitt Romney to check his momentum before South Carolina's primary on Saturday. He was forced to defend his time as a private equity boss and governor of Massachusetts, as the freshly trimmed field of five candidates faced off.
New polls show the former Massachusetts governor with a double-digit lead in South Carolina and nationally. It is one of the last chances for his rivals to check his momentum before South Carolina's primary on Saturday.
The contenders are vying to take on Barack Obama in November's election. New polls show him with a double-digit lead in South Carolina and nationally.
Correspondents say Mr Romney's bid for the Republican Party's presidential nomination could become unstoppable if he wins South Carolina's primary, following his victories this month in Iowa and New Hampshire's nominating contests.
Tax returns challenge
But he came under attack on Monday night from rivals Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry.
Mr Romney was forced to defend his business record at a private equity firm, Bain Capital, at the beginning of the debate, amid a pincer movement by Mr Gingrich, a former House Speaker, and Rick Perry, the governor of Texas.
Mr Perry, who is trailing in the race, said multimillionaire Mr Romney should release his income tax records, which he has repeatedly failed to do. The former Massachusetts governor did not respond to the challenge.
Earlier in the day, Mr Huntsman withdrew from the race complaining that it had degenerated into "toxic" personal attacks, and endorsing erstwhile rival Mr Romney.Earlier in the day, Mr Huntsman withdrew from the race complaining that it had degenerated into "toxic" personal attacks, and endorsing erstwhile rival Mr Romney.
Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann quit the race earlier in January, a month after former pizza magnate Herman Cain.
The contenders are vying to become the Republican Party's nominee to take on President Barack Obama in November's elections.
Tax returns challenge
Correspondents say Mr Romney could become unstoppable if he wins in South Carolina, after his victories this month in Iowa and New Hampshire's nominating contests.
In the past three decades, no Republican has won the party's presidential nomination without carrying South Carolina.
Mr Romney fought off attacks during Monday night's debate with rivals Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Ron Paul.
The former Massachusetts governor was forced to defend his work at a private equity firm, Bain Capital, amid a pincer movement by Mr Gingrich, a former House Speaker, and Rick Perry, the governor of Texas.
Mr Romney has been labelled a corporate raider and vulture capitalist by rivals over the past week, but he insists his experience makes him perfect to turn around the sluggish US economy and create jobs.
Mr Perry, who is trailing in the race, said multimillionaire Mr Romney should release his income tax records, which he has repeatedly declined to do. The former Massachusetts governor did not respond to that challenge.
But he later hinted that he might release his tax returns in April, after he was asked whether he would do so by one of the debate moderators.
"If I become our nominee, and what's happened in history is people have released them [tax records] in about April of the coming year, and that's probably what I would do," said Mr Romney.
He added: "I have nothing in them [tax records] that suggests there's any problem and I'm happy to do so."
During a subsequent to and fro over voting rights for convicted felons, Mr Santorum asked Mr Romney to explain his stance.
Mr Romney said those who had committed violent crimes should not be allowed to cast a ballot again.
Mr Santorum pounced, saying that when Mr Romney was governor of Massachusetts, not only could violent felons vote, but they could do so when on parole or probation.
During a discussion on foreign policy, Mr Perry was asked about alleged high rates of violence against women in Turkey, and suggested that country was ruled by Islamic terrorists.
In a state with a heavy military presence, Mr Gingrich drew strong applause when he said: "[Former President] Andrew Jackson had a pretty clear idea about America's enemies: kill them."
The debate hosted by Fox News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the first of two this week in the state, with the next on Thursday.The debate hosted by Fox News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the first of two this week in the state, with the next on Thursday.
Over the weekend, a conference of evangelical Christian leaders threw their support behind Mr Santorum, with another group endorsing Mr Gingrich. Over the weekend, a conference of evangelical Christian leaders threw their support behind Mr Santorum, while another group backed Mr Gingrich.
The former Pennsylvania senator released a new ad in South Carolina on Monday, portraying Mr Romney's record as Massachusetts governor as liberal.The former Pennsylvania senator released a new ad in South Carolina on Monday, portraying Mr Romney's record as Massachusetts governor as liberal.
An opinion poll on Monday showed Mr Romney at 32% support among likely voters in the South Carolina primary.An opinion poll on Monday showed Mr Romney at 32% support among likely voters in the South Carolina primary.
Meanwhile, a national Gallup poll >puts Mr Romney 23 points ahead of both Mr Gingrich and Mr Santorum. Meanwhile, a >national Gallup poll puts Mr Romney 23 points ahead of both Mr Gingrich and Mr Santorum.
Mr Romney could only manage a fourth-place finish in South Carolina during his first run for the White House in 2008.
Correspondents say Mr Romney was hampered by misgivings over his Mormon faith among the state's large bloc of evangelicals and other conservative Christians.