Perry fires back at Romney over Social Security

“As
he has so many times in the past, Mr. Romney seems to forget he’s a
Republican,” Ray Sullivan, communications director for Perry’s campaign,
said in a statement. “Romney has been running for president full time for nearly five years,
and has failed to issue a specific plan on Social Security. Rick Perry and other conservatives are courageous
enough to be honest about federal spending and entitlements, whether
Mr. Romney and the liberals like it or not.”

{mosads}Romney told a
town-hall audience in Florida Wednesday morning that Perry’s idea to
give management of Social Security back to the states is dangerous for
many reasons, suggesting the possibility that state government will dip
into the funds and warning that people often move out of state. Those
are part of the six questions Romney’s campaign said Romney will seek to
pose to Perry at the next GOP debate regarding his plan to turn Social
Security administration over to the states.

Romney’s campaign also released statements from Florida Republican Reps. Connie Mack and Tom Rooney on Wednesday voicing similar concerns about taking the administration of Social Security away from the federal government.

Perry’s campaign also pushed back against Romney’s warning that Perry wants to get rid of Social Security completely.

“Perry
has been clear that he will protect benefits for those at and nearing
retirement, and work with citizens, experts and elected leaders to fix
Social Security financing for future generations,” Sullivan said.