“There’s an entirely different alternative proposed by Governor Perry,’’ Romney said, under signs on two large projectors that read: “Reform & Strengthen Social Security.’’
“He said, by any measure, Social Security is a failure. I disagree. I think by the measure of the tens of millions of people who rely on Social Security it’s a success.’’
The address kicked off yet another day of back-and-forth between Romney and Perry, offering a preview of a televised debate tonight that is expected to continue drawing out contrasts between the two, who are currently atop the polls, as well as the rest of the field.
Social Security has become a defining issue between the two. In the last two debates, Romney pressed Perry to explain his contention that the program is “a Ponzi scheme’’ and a “monstrous lie’’ for future generations.
Yesterday, Romney mocked Perry’s suggestion to turn the 76-year-old federal retirement program over to states. As he did, the large projector screens switched to a new message: “Six Questions to Ask Rick Perry About His Social Security Proposal.’’
“What would be the cost of having 50 different Social Security systems?’’ said Romney. “Let’s say you’d been a person who’d moved to four or five different states. Would you get four or five different checks every month? And what happens if one of them didn’t make it?’’
Romney’s visit to Florida comes ahead of a crucial period in the Republican presidential contest. In addition to the debate tonight on Fox News Channel, the candidates will address a conservative conference in Orlando tomorrow and be the subject of a straw poll on Saturday.
Social Security is likely to play an increasingly large role, particularly in a state whose retirees tend to vote in higher numbers than the rest of the electorate.
Perry’s campaign responded to Romney’s comments almost immediately, tagging the former governor a “liberal’’ and saying he was simply trying to scare voters into supporting him.
