The five leading Republican candidates debated in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last night ahead of the state’s closely watched primary on Saturday. Republican presidential hopefuls Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum repeatedly attacked front-runner Mitt Romney’s record in business and government. Texas Gov. Rick Perry pushed Romney to open up his tax records.

Gov. Rick Perry: “Mitt, we need for you to release your income tax so the people of this country can see how you made your money.”

Mitt Romney: “And what’s happened in history is people have released them about April of the coming year, and that’s probably what I’d do.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich defended his sharp criticism of Romney.

Newt Gingrich: “We need to satisfy the country that whoever we nominate has a record that can stand up to Barack Obama in a very effective way. And I think that’s part of his responsibility as a candidate, and I think that’s part of what a campaign is about, is to raise questions and see whether or not your competitor can answer them effectively before you get to a general election, where you know those questions are going to be asked.”