ORLANDO, FLA. — The top two candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination intensified their attacks on each other Thursday in a debate that came as polls indicate the race tightening between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Romney, who lost his front-runner status to Perry in August but is regaining ground in recent polls, landed several serious punches on Perry’s views on illegal immigration, Social Security and other issues.
Perry, appearing in his third debate since joining the race, appeared tentative and fatigued at times, particularly in the second half of the debate when he struggled to coherently portray Romney as a candidate who has frequently changed positions on big issues like education and health care.
