Perry, Romney clash on Social Security in Florida debate

Rick Perry made a “slam dunk” promise to seniors that they would collect Social Security benefits while Mitt Romney challenged him to stand by his controversial comments on the program in a testy exchange at the start of the CNN/Tea Party debate in Florida on Monday.

Perry’s views on the federally run retirement program emerged as a key point of contention in the Republican race for president after he emerged as the front-runner and made his debate debut in last week’s forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Since then, and in response to strong criticism from Romney, Perry has appeared to be softening the edges of his past statements. In a USA Today op-ed Monday he talked of “having a frank, honest national conversation about fixing Social Security to protect benefits for those at or near retirement while keeping faith with younger generations.”

That effort continued when asked about the program in Monday’s debate.

“Slam-dunk guaranteed, that program is going to be there in place for those individuals that are moving towards being on Social Security,” Perry said.

“It has been called a Ponzi scheme by many people long before me, but no one’s had the courage to stand up and say here is how we’re going to reform it, we’re going to transform it for those in those mid-career ages.”

Romney, who had used early debates to contrast himself with President Obama, came ready to keep pressing Perry on the issue. He said calling the program a “Ponzi scheme” was unsettling to Americans.

Referring to comments Perry made in his recent book, “Fed Up!” Romney said: “The real question is, does Gov. Perry continue to believe that Social Security should not be a federal program, that it is unconstitutional, and it should be returned to the states, or is he going to retreat from that view?”

Perry said a national conversation on the issue could include discussion of how states could play a role in providing retirement security from Americans. Earlier, in opening statements, Perry had promised to “make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in your life as I can,” a sentiment with great resonance to the “tea party” movement.

Monday’s debate, co-sponsored by CNN and the Tea Party Express, opened with patriotic fanfare as the candidates saluted a performance of the national anthem.