8:20 PM: I think Herman Cain just went from one word — 999 to three words, 999, Apple, Orange.

8:26 PM: That was really quite a tear from Rick Perry. But there was a moment there when the camera was showing Perry from the side with Romney looking on and Mitt had this look on his face like: “Too late, Rick. Too late.”

8:31 PM: It’s a testament to how bad his opponents are that Romney can take so many fairly contradictory positions on Romneycare all at the same time. I did it in Massachusetts because that’s place is kind of weird. But it would be terrible in America as a whole. And everyone likes it in Massachusetts because it’s awesome.

7:59 PM: Okay, if Rick Perry doesn’t finally get all Deliverance on Mitt Romney, I’m just going to stop tuning in. C’mon. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

8:02 PM: I truly pity whoever had to write these awful intro bios for the candidates …. ‘And Rick Santorum, the guy we couldn’t think of a tagline for’.

8:04 PM: I’m waiting to see where we are at the 30 minute mark to see whether I keep shortinng Library of Herman Cain stock on the Asian markets.

8:10 PM: Oooooohhhh … Is Perry bringing his Mitt-stumping A-game today. Hopefully he can get it in in the next 15 minutes before he falls asleep.

8:11 PM: Curious to see Bachmann rebranding herself as a “jobs creator”.

8:13 PM: It’s going to be weird watching people actually asking Herman Cain serious questions

8:14 PM: Just went to HermanCain.com. It’s crashed. Awesome. Ready for the big time. Anyone have any idea what “fiscal associates” Cain is talking about? I wasn’t clear whether that’s a consulting firm he’s referring to or just like “some fiscal guys.”

8:17 PM: Bye Herman.

8:17 PM: Think that Carney guy finally gave Rick the Red Bull.

We’ll be here covering tonight’s GOP primary debate from Vegas. Stick around and get Josh’s liveblogging here and ongoing coverage at the TPM Livewire. The debate starts at 8 p.m. ET. See you then.