http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/romney-sharpens-social-security-message-against-perry.php?ref=fpaMaking clear that his performance in Wednesday’s debate was no coincidence, Mitt Romney escalated his attacks on Rick Perry’s Social Security stance even further on Thursday.
In an interview with Sean Hannity, Romney all but called Perry unelectable thanks to his comments that the program is a “Ponzi scheme,” a “monstrous lie,” and his book’s suggestions that the program is unconstitutional and should be replaced with a state-level system.
“Social Security is a good thing. We need Social Security,” Romney said. “If we nominate someone who the Democrats could correctly characterize as being opposed to Social Security, we would be obliterated.”
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Romney’s argument, however, is more than just about Perry’s current position. The heart of the new message is that Perry is damaged goods: nothing he says or does before election day can undo his old quotes or prevent President Obama from blanketing the airwaves with ads featuring them. His path to the nomination lies in convincing Republican voters that when it comes to beating Obama, he’s the only viable option, period.