The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News Digital News Associates Jayce Henderson, Jacqueline Fernandez and Amanda VanAllen

GOP DEBATE: The Los Angeles Times’  Mark Z. Barabak and Maeve Reston: “ GOP debate features stymied Rick Perry, defiant Herman Cain” The Republican presidential candidates met Wednesday night on a Michigan debate stage to address the most crucial issue facing the American people: the worrisome economy. But the session may be best remembered as the one that provoked a painful gaffe by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Jonathan Weisman and Patrick O’ Connor: “ Debate on Economics Turns to Character” In a Republican presidential debate Wednesday with few disputes about economic policy, the spotlight fell on former pizza executive Herman Cain as he gave a passionate defense of his character against accusations of sexual harassment. He said that for every woman lobbing a “false accusation,” thousands would vouch for his integrity. LINK

Politico’s Maggie Haberman: “ The GOP debate: Six takeaways” In a season of memorable debates, the non-mudfest in Michigan made instant history. Questions to Herman Cain about sexual harassment allegations and to Mitt Romney about letting banks foreclose on people’s homes were largely footnotes after Rick Perry experienced an epic onstage meltdown. LINK

RICK PERRY: The Hills’ Cameron Joseph: “ Perry has debate ‘oops’; crowd cheers Cain in face of allegations” Rick Perry struggled to remember which federal agencies he would cut, Herman Cain had the crowd’s support in dealing with sexual harassment allegations, and Mitt Romney sailed through Wednesday night’s GOP presidential debate. The debate, hosted by CNBC News in Rochester, Mich., was billed as a discussion on economics, but it’s the other moments the night will be remembered for, particularly for a stumble by Perry. LINK

USA Today’s Jackie Kucinich and Susan Page: “ Texas Gov. Rick Perry stumbles badly in Republican debate” Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the onetime Republican front-runner who had hoped to regain traction in a candidates’ debate Wednesday, instead suffered what may have been the worst memory meltdown in the history of presidential debates. “I will tell you, it is three agencies of government when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education, and — what’s the third one there? Let’s see,” Perry said, struggling to remember the third federal department he repeatedly has promised on the stump to eliminate. LINK

The New York Times’ Jeff Zeleny and Ashley Parker: “‘ Oops’ and a Long, Sad Pause at Debate When Perry Can’t Get to Three” Gov. Rick Perry of Texas arrived at the Republican presidential debate here on Wednesday night on a mission to get his candidacy back on track. The first hour passed without incident. The second hour did not. LINK

Bloomberg News: “ Perry Misfires in Republican Debate” Rick Perry stumbled when he forgot which federal departments he would shut, while Mitt Romney and other rivals for the Republican presidential nomination strayed from the facts on regulation, auto bailouts and health care in a debate focused on the economy. Texas Governor Perry and former businessman Herman Cain blamed government regulations for the weak economy in last night’s debate co-sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party. LINK

HERMAN CAIN: The New York Daily News’ Alison Gendar and Corky Siemaszo: “ At GOP debate, Rick Perry falls victim to own gaffe, while Herman Cain escapes real scrutiny of sex harassment allegations” Herman Cain’s alleged pervy shenanigans were questioned by a debate moderator last night — but his fellow GOP presidential hopefuls gave him a free pass. CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo opened up the bombshell topic that has imperiled Cain’s campaign by asking the former pizza company big shot why Americans would want a president with possible “character issues.” LINK

The Washington Post’s Rachel Weiner: “ Herman Cain calls Pelosi ‘Princess Nancy,’ regrets it” Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s inability to remember his own plan is obviously the gaffe of Tuesday’s Republican debate. But former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain stumbled too, calling former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) “Princess Nancy.” LINK

The Washington Times’ Seth McLaughlin: “ In debate, Cain rebuffs charges” Herman Cain brushed off the notion in the GOP debate Wednesday that the allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior that were lodged against him in the 1990s will feed questions about his character that could derail his chances of becoming the next president. LINK

MITT ROMNEY: The Boston Globe’s Matt Viser and Michael Levenson: “ Romney  on home-state territory for tonight’s GOP debate in Michigan” Herman Cain drew loud cheers from the audience as he defended himself once again against accusations of sexual harassment, and none of his rivals challenged him on the issue as the Republican presidential candidates met for their ninth debate last night. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS: “ Rick Perry ‘Steps in It’” LINK “ Romney Calls Obama Out on Economy” LINK

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