Nati Harnik / AP

Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks with workers at a meat plant Thursday in South Sioux City, Neb.

Texas taxpayers spent $3.6 million paying for Gov. Rick Perry's state-provided security as he flew around the country during his brief Republican presidential campaign, the state said Friday — money that Democrats want him to pay back.

The Texas Department of Public Safety disclosed that it spent $1.8 million on food, fuel, hotels and other expenses and another $1.8 million on overtime guarding Perry during his travels from August through January.

Most of that travel was out of state as Perry sought the Republican nomination and carried out his duties as head of the Republican Governors Association.

M. Alex Johnson is a reporter for msnbc.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Texas Democrats have called on Perry to pay back the money from his campaign war chest. But Perry has refused, citing the example of Gov. George W. Bush, whose 2000 campaign also used state-provided security.

Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for Perry, said Friday in a statement: "Governor Perry is governor of Texas no matter where he travels, and it is unfortunate we live in a world where security is a top concern, but that is the reality. Providing security detail for the governor's family is a customary policy that dates back numerous administrations."

It's likely that some taxpayers won't be satisfied with that answer, because Bush's campaign cost the state on average half of what Perry's cost, even when the figures are adjusted for inflation.

Perry's bill works out to an average of $22,500 a day for his out-of-state political activities during the 160 days he was in the presidential race.  

Before the Secret Service took over Bush's security at the end of March 2000, the Texas Department of Public Safety spent $3.9 on Bush's out-of-state security, state records show. 

When you run that through the Commerce Department's cost of living inflation adjustment formula, Bush's bill was about $5.25 million in today's money. But that was spread over 455 days from Jan. 1, 1999, to March 31, 2000 — an average of only $11,428 a day.

The Houston Chronicle reported that while Perry's campaign generally paid for his personal travel expenses, his security detail is paid through the state gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees.

"One way to protect taxpayers' money is by not spending it unnecessarily," Texas House Democratic leader Jessica Farrar said in a letter to Perry in January, when the bill was still only $2.6 million, NBC station KXAN of Austin reported at the time. "If someone discovers tax dollars have been spent unnecessarily, it should be reimbursed either to general revenue or directly to taxpayers."

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Updated 10:07 p.m.

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, each battling furiously for a win in Saturday's South Carolina primary, pointedly questioned each other's experience to be president, while being forced to account for standing questions about the challenges they face to winning the nomination and beating President Obama.

The two leading candidates in South Carolina's primary this weekend largely avoided sniping at each other in the first half hour of the debate -- a spirited affair less than 36 hours before voting begins in the Palmetto State -- but engaged each other more directly as the evening progressed.

Gingrich was pressed to explain his past support for a mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance, and his manner of leadership as speaker of the House, a tenure described by critics as erratic.

But Gingrich scored early -- and decisively -- with a fiery response to allegations from an ex-wife that drew wild applause from the crowd in attendance.

Romney, meanwhile, had to defend his business record and answer questions as to why he wouldn't release his income tax records, all while relitigating conservative criticism of the health care reform he signed as governor of Massachusetts.

Through this, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, crowned the winner this morning of the Iowa Caucuses after a retabulation of results, was anxious to take on both Romney and Gingrich, distinguishing himself as a steady if not-flashy alternative to the two leading candidates.

The debate, the 17th of the cycle, followed one of the most dramatic days of the 2012 campaign. Thursday saw Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s exit from the campaign trail, new extramarital allegations against Gingrich, polling data showing Romney’s advantage slipping in South Carolina, and a new declaration by the Iowa GOP anointing former Santorum – not Romney – the winner of its Jan. 3 caucus after certifying official results.

Perry drops out of GOP presidential race, endorses Gingrich

The tone of the forum was set early when Gingrich angrily assailed CNN moderator John King for opening the debate by asking Gingrich to answer allegations made by his ex-wife, Marianne, in an interview with ABC News, saying the then-speaker of the House asked to engage in an "open marriage," or else he would file for divorce.

"I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate with a topic like that," Gingrich said, earning wild applause from the audience. "To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."

Gingrich angrily rebuffs questions about ex-wife

Gingrich disputed the allegations as "false," and his three fellow Republicans onstage resisted piling on. ("Let's get on to the real issues," former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said.)

Recent pollng of the race suggests that Gingrich has been enjoying a late surge in South Carolina, one that could threaten Romney's bid for a win that, his campaign hopes, would all but seal the nomination for the former Massachusetts governor.

An NBC News-Marist poll released Thursday found Romney leading at 34 percent among likely primary voters in the state, followed by Gingrich at 24 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 16 percent, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum at 14 percent, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 4 percent. But in the latter half of the two-day poll, following Gingrich's strong performance during a Monday debate, Romney's lead winnowed to five points.

NBC poll: Newt Gingrich gains ground on Mitt Romney in South Carolina
 
South Carolina has correctly predicted the eventual Republican nominee since the inception of its primary in 1980; in each subsequent contest, the winner has gone on to become the GOP standard-bearer.

Romney has sought to project an air of inevitability surrounding his candidacy, but has been dogged by questions about the business practices of Bain Capital, the private equity firm he cofounded, that go to the core of his argument that he is the candidate most experienced to repair the U.S. economy. Romney's work for Bain also made him wealthy, and Romney's GOP rivals have pressed him to release his tax returns.

He dealt with both issues Thursday evening. Romney sought to explain Bain's work in greater detail, highlighting instances in which its work created jobs. He avoided engaging with Republicans, like Gingrich, who have questioned Romney's private sector record.

"I'm someone who believes in free enterprise," he said. "And I'm going to stand and defend capitalism across this country, throughout this campaign. I know we're going to get hit hard from President Obama, but we're going to stuff it down his throat and point out it is capitalism and freedom that makes America strong."

Romney also faced pressure to release his tax returns. He said he would release records -- going back an unspecified number of "multiple" years -- but not until April, by which time the primary may well be settled.

It was Santorum, though, who put the most pointed questions to the two frontrunners. Santorum, who served in Congress while Gingrich was speaker, raised questions about whether Gingrich's conduct as a leader would lead to a "worrisome moment" for the GOP.

"Grandiosity has never been a problem with Newt Gingrich. He handles it very, very well," Santorum said, later adding: "I knew what the problems were going on in the House of Representatives when Newt Gingrich was leading there. It was an idea a minute, no discipline, no ability to be able to pull things together."

That exchange opened up a broader, sharper discussion between the candidates on their backgrounds. Romney characterized Gingrich as a lifelong insider, and again touted his business experience as the best qualification for his candidacy.

"I was in business 25 years. So you're not going to get credit for my 25 years," Romney said. "I don't recall a single day saying, 'Oh, thanks heavens Washington is there for me.'"

But Romney was also put on the spot by Santorum, and later, Gingrich, over his record in Massachusetts. Gingrich accused Romney of continuing to support abortions even after having announced his opposition to abortion rights. And Santorum went on the attack on Massachusetts health care reform.

"It is not a free-market health care system. It is not bottom-up. It is prescriptive and government. It was the basis for Obamacare," Santorum said.

Romney stumbled at moments and offered wonky answers in response to the criticism, repeatedly vowing that, for whatever his past record shows, he would govern in opposition to abortion rights.

"I did my very best to be a pro-life governor. I will be a pro-life president," Romney said. 

Texas Rep. Ron Paul at times fell to the background, having to make quips at moment about not being afforded an opportunity to join the scrum onstage.  At one point, when the moderator was ready to move on after a question on abortion, the crowd complained that Paul hadn't been given an opportunity to answer.

The debate came after one of the most momentus days in the campaign. Perry ended his bid for the nomination and threw his support behind Gingrich, who has shown signs of revival in South Carolina, and who has sought to rally conservatives under the banner of being the best alternative to Romney.

That narrative shaped Thursday night's debate, which saw Gingrich engage in frequent crowd-pleasing answers, dropping references to Ronald Reagan and taking frequent shots at the media.

Whether Romney did much to reverse his slide likely won't be known until Saturday, when South Carolinians head to the polls. Debate settings have been a strength for Gingrich, and he, Paul and Santorum have relished the opportunity to pile on Romney in these settings. (Another debate is scheduled for Monday night in Florida.)

The debate, hosted by CNN and the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, was broadcast at 8 p.m. ET.

Updated at 8:15 a.m. ET

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney eked out a razor-thin victory in Tuesday night’s Iowa Republican caucuses, holding off former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s late-in-the-game-surge to win.

Win Mcnamee / Getty Images

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Jan 3.

After a night that saw the two candidates claim the lead, the GOP announced that Romney beat Santorum by just eight votes to become the apparent winner. Ron Paul finished third.

Romney and Santorum remained virtually tied as returns came back throughout the evening in this cycle's first nominating contest.  At the conclusion, each ended up at almost exactly a 25 percent share of the vote.

Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, Matt Strawn, announced Romney got 30,015 votes and Santorum received 30,007 votes out of a record turnout of 122,255.

The result represented a dramatic closing act by Santorum to cement a furious, last-minute surge during which conservatives rallied around his campaign.

"Game on!" the jubilant ex-senator declared in remarks shortly after midnight.

The results were also humbling to an extent for the Romney campaign, which had appeared so confident in victory that it planned an overnight stay for the candidate in Iowa tonight instead of New Hampshire, where Romney's built a firewall. The former governor had also appeared to predict victory in a Monday night speech.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum addresses an Iowa crowd on January 3.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul finished third, at 21 percent. 

Three other candidates, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann had also sought to beat expectations and rejuvenate their candidacies in subsequent primary contests in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Gingrich had the edge, at 13 percent, over Perry (10 percent) while Bachmann finished in sixth, at 5 percent.
Perry said he would take the next few days to re-assess his campaign.

"I've decided to return to Texas, assess the results of tonight's caucus, determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race," he said in remarks shortly before midnight.

But the story of the night was Santorum, who managed to rally conservatives, who'd searched desperately throughout the campaign for an alternative to Romney, after other would-be contenders washed out throughout the fall.

Santorum noted "another candidate in this race," referring to Romney, whom pundits viewed as more electable. He paused when a member of his crowd said "RomneyCare," referring to the Massachusetts health reform law Romney had enacted but conservatives deplore for its similarities to President Obama's health care reforms.

"Let me tell you: What wins in America are bold ideas, sharp contrasts, and a plan that includes everyone," Santorum said.

"We are off to New Hampshire," Santorum declared, "With your help and God's grace we'll have another fun night a week from now."
Romney, by contrast, continued to act like the campaign's frontrunner in the evening's last remarks. He congratulated Santorum and Paul on a well-fought campaign, but trained most of his criticism on President Obama. 

Photo Blog: Caucus day photos from Iowa

In the end, Romney essentially matched his vote total from 2008, though he invested much less time and money in Iowa this cycle. But he failed to deliver the knock-out blow that his campaign had hoped for by playing in Iowa, and the results underscore the existing narrative in the campaign, that Romney is struggling to win over skeptical conservatives.

Sensing that Romney is vulnerable, the campaign now seems poised to move into a new phase in which the former Massachusetts governor will suffer more scrutiny.

Gingrich presaged this new phase in his remarks Tuesday evening, in which he vowed to continue his campaign beginning Wednesday in New Hampshire. He assailed Paul and Romney, too, while congratulating Santorum for running a positive campaign, and pointedly noted he wished he could say the same for other candidates, meaning Romney.

"We are not going to go out and run nasty ads," said Gingrich, who labeled Romney a "Massachusetts moderate" again. "But I do reserve the right to tell the truth. And if the truth seems negative, that may be more of a comment on his record than the nature of politics."

Santorum punched his ticket out of Iowa in part by emerging as the winner of a virtual game of musical chairs among candidates in Iowa who had themselves as the anti-Romney candidate. The former Pennsylvania senator had campaigned in Iowa the “traditional” way, having started to stump there well before any candidate, and becoming the first candidate to visit all of the state’s 99 counties.

The former Pennsylvania senator performed best among caucus-goers who describe themselves as very conservative, according to entrance poll data. He also won over evangelical Christians and caucus attendees who tabbed social issues as one of their priorities.

Romney had hoped to score a knock-out punch in Iowa after having scarcely competed in the race until later this fall. His campaign is hoping that a late push in Iowa, plus a victory next Tuesday in New Hampshire (where Romney leads in the polls), could all but clinch the nomination.

The Hawkeye State had ended up as Romney’s Achilles Heel in 2008. After having invested heavily in winning the contest, Romney limped out of Iowa after a disappointing second place finish.

Romney tied his 25 percent share of the caucus tally he earned in 2008 by attracting the support of caucus-goers who valued electability and the economy -- core elements of Romney's 2012 message. The most deeply conservative caucus participants shied away from Romney.

In a sign that the establishment was undaunted by Romney's finish, Sen. John McCain -- the 2008 GOP nominee and Romney's sparring partner from that cycle -- was set to back Romney on Wednesday in New Hampshire.

The results raise the stakes for the primary in New Hampshire, scheduled for Jan. 10, and two subsequent primaries in South Carolina and Florida in the second half of this month.

There are two debates scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday, which might provide the springboard for a new, naster stage of the campaign, with the scrutiny focused on Romney.

Paul, meanwhile, managed a third place finish by leaning on an unorthodox coalition of libertarian Republicans, young caucus-goers and independents.

"We will go on, we will raise the money," he told supporters this evening. He'll head next to New Hampshire.

His campaign, both in 2008 and 2012, has been notable for its intense enthusiasm from supporters and prolific fundraising. And in Iowa, where the strength of a candidate's organization typically correlates with a strong performance, Paul is hoping his well-organized supporters can help secure victory.

But his foes had also assailed his foreign policy views, which emphasize a limited role for the U.S. on the world stage. In a traditionally hawkish party, it’s led some political observers to suggest that Paul might have a difficult time building a broad coalition of support within the GOP.

Tuesday's results also raise fresh questions about the viability of Perry and Bachmann, who each spent heavily to win only fifth and sixth-place finishes, respectively. Bachmann made no indication of the future of her campaign during remarks late Tuesday evening.
For their parts, Bachmann and Perry have said before tonight they’ll head to South Carolina, which hosts its primary -- the third nominating contest -- on Jan. 21.

In a sign he's playing the long game, though, Romney has scheduled a trip to South Carolina overnight on Thursday and Friday morning. He’s also running ads in the Palmetto State, and announced Tuesday that he’s begun running ads in Florida, which hosts the next primary, as well.

Jeff Haynes / Reuters

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (L) speaks as former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) looks on during the Republican Party presidential candidates debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Last updated at 11:32 p.m. ET.

The emerging political rivalry between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney simmered during Saturday night's GOP presidential debate, but at no point boiled over during the two-hour gathering. 

The former House speaker and the former Massachusetts governor sniped at each other throughout the debate, seeking to draw contrasts with each other at a debate at Drake University just 24 days before Iowans participate in the state's Jan. 3 caucuses.

The other four presidential hopefuls, meanwhile, took turns piling on Gingrich, the newly-minted frontrunner according to polls, and Romney, the candidate who's been consistently toward the top of the field throughout the campaign, but hasn't been able to seal the deal with conservatives.

The Gingrich-Romney spat was most stark during the first half hour of the debate, when Romney and Gingrich went at each other over their own political backgrounds. Romney stressed his private sector experience versus GIngrich's time in Congress.

RELATED: Gingrich in spotlight in pivotal debate

"Let's be candid: the only reason you didn't become a career politician is because you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994," Gingrich said in response, delivering a zinger in Romney's direction. "It's a bit much; you'd have been a 17-year career politician if you'd won."

Romney also lampooned some of Gingrich's more unconventional policy proposals.

"Speaker Gingrich and I have a lot of areas where we disagree," Romney said. "We can start with his idea to have a lunar colony that would mine minerals from the moon."

The two candidates sparred lightly throughout the rest of the debate, all while weathering criticism from the rest of the field.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann linked Gingrich and Romney together on the issue of a health insurance mandate, coining a new moniker to tie Romney and Gingrich together. She said the answer for GOP voters "is Michele Bachmann, not 'Newt Romney.'"

Romney faced criticism, too, from Perry — his main opponent in past debates this fall — over the health reform plan he installed as governor. Perry renewed criticism based on a line in an edition of a book written by Romney, prompting the former Massachusetts governor to offer a $10,000 bet with Perry. It was an eyebrow-raising moment, given the optics of a multimillionaire offering to make a hefty bet, considering the Romney campaign's intent focus on the economy and the middle class.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), which has been dogged in its criticism of Romney during the primary, picked up on the moment, emailing reporters a list of items the average American family could buy with $10,000.

"Mitt Romney is going to rue the day he offered a $10,000 bet in this debate," said a senior Democratic Party strategist. "Talk about a window in to his out-of-touch soul. And he did it in the same debate where he again called the payroll tax cut for the middle class a temporary band-aid."

The debate had been expected to feature sparring between Gingrich and Romney, each of whom are jockeying for the top spot in the polls. Romney's campaign previewed tonight's showdown by unleashing a wave of criticism of Gingrich the second half of this week.

But the other candidates also sought to use the debate as an opportunity to make a move in the polls, with precious days separating tonight's debate and the beginning of the voting process.

That meant more criticism of Gingrich, who's leapfrogged the pack and to the lead in a variety of state and national polls released this week. 

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, for instance, made a thinly-veiled reference to Gingrich's three marriages and past infidelity. Perry said that the candidates' personal lives should be an element for consideration by primary voters. 

"if you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner," said Perry, who's been making a play of late for social conservative voters in Iowa. "I think that issue of fidelity is important." 

And the moderators added new scrutiny of Gingrich, too. The former Speaker found himself under newfound scrutiny at this debate associated with his ascendancy in the polls. He was pressed, for instance, by moderators about his statement this week calling Palestinians an "invented" people.

Gingrich stood by that characterization, and even went further in his characterization of some Palestinian groups: "These people are terrorists."

But the emerging Romney-Gingrich feud was the most closely-watched plot line of the debate, the 12th among Republicans during this primary cycle. While their exchanges weren't always the most fiery, another debate in Iowa scheduled for Thursday could further the divide between the two of them.

Romney perhaps best summed up his criticism of Gingrich in a later exchange between the two over Israel: "I'm not a bomb-thrower, rhetorically or literally."

The debate setting has been where Gingrich, whose debt-saddled campaign was left for dead this summer after suffering a mass resignation by senior staff, has thrived. His resurgence has been driven by strong debate showings. 

These gatherings have been of unusual influence in the primary, in part due to the fluidity in the polls. A majority of Republicans in key primary states said in a poll this week that they still may change their mind. 

The debate was broadcast on ABC and co-sponsored by the Des Moines Register.