South Carolina Debate 2012: Santorum Strikes Back, Gingrich Flips at CNN

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Santorum understood this was the night to either make it or break it. Romney and Gingrich were both leading in the South Carolina polls and the former Pennsylvania governor's would probably not last more than a few weeks if he didn't have a strong showing in the state's primary. Santorum delivered; he wasn't afraid to hit his biggest rivals where it hurt.

Perhaps he was boosted by the Iowa caucus recount that revealed he actually led Romney by 34 votes, but Santorum attacked Romney with confidence. After Romney went through his regular schpeal of defending his Massachusetts health care legislation - the one GOP opponents say inspired the much dreaded "Obamacare" - Santorum engaged him and wouldn't let him go. "He's standing by ("Romneycare") and he's going to go up against the president," Santorum said.

While he avoided criticizing Gingrich's personal life, Santorum used sound bite after sound bite to attack the former Speaker's rocky end in the house and explosive personality. He called Gingrich "grandiose" and better at thinking up ideas rather than acting them. If Newt's the nominee, he said, he worries "something's going to pop." He reminded everyone how Newt Gingrich's speakership ended with a "coup" (Gingrich preferred to call himself a "principled rebel"). And it was a smart move for Santorum, a candidate largely defined by his social conservatism, to not take John King's bait and attack Gingrich on his marriages or ex-wife's campaign to ruin him.

It was around this moment when Politico's Maggie Haberman tweeted an insightful comment. "Oh. My. God.," she wrote. "Santorum is doing what Perry never did."

In fact Santorum did the very opposite of what the Texas governor did. While he lagged behind in the race, he used the stage to hound the candidates on their weaknesses. Perry's inability to do that transformed him quickly from surging Romney alternative to campaign dropout. But we'll have to wait until Saturday to see if it makes any difference.

Newt Gingrich Goes Nuclear on CNN

The usually captivating candidate had his most animated moments in the first five minutes of the event. King kicked things off by bringing up the much-anticipated ABC interview with his ex-wife, who appears to determined to ruin his shots at the presidency. Gingrich had spent the morning dismissing the interview, which included Marianne Gingrich's claim that the GOP hopeful demanded an "open" marriage.

When it comes to his controversial personal life, Newt has found his war on the media is the best go-to strategy.

"I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that." he said to a standing ovation, and boos at King.