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Perry, Romney spar over job creation, Social Security
Perry, Romney spar over job creation, Social Security
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 7, 2011
Our next President will either be Romney or Perry my friends.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Debate newcomer Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney clashed over their job creation records, health care and Social Security at the Republican presidential debate Wednesday night.
"When I came in as governor, we were in a real free-fall," Romney said. Unemployment was 4.7% when he left office, the former GOP front-runner said.
Perry said his opponent had a great record creating jobs in private business, but not so much as a political leader. The Texan said he helped create 1 million jobs in a decade. Romney countered that Texas had advantages over Massachusetts, including no income tax, the oil and gas industry and fewer unions.
The eight Republican hopefuls said President Barack Obama doesn't understand how to fix the economy.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a tea party favorite who won the Ames straw poll in Iowa last month, said health care reform legislation passed under Obama's leadership is hurting job creation and should be repealed.
Romney criticized Perry over his anti-Washington book titled "Fed Up." In it, Perry refers to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme," which could make him vulnerable to Democratic attacks in a general election campaign if he wins the Republican nomination.
"A candidate should be committed to saving Social Security," Romney said.
Perry stood by the "Ponzi scheme" remark, saying "maybe it's time to have provocative language" because the current Social Security system will fail younger workers.
GOP strategist Karl Rove called Perry's Social Security comments "toxic" in an interview Wednesday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."
On the issue of immigration, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum said it is vital for America -- when done legally. Romney said business and institutional incentives that draw illegal immigrants should be curbed while Perry said more troops are needed on the Mexican border.
Romney came under criticism for individual mandates in Massachusetts health care reform, but he said it was needed because too many people were getting taxpayer-funded care at hospitals. Perry said Texans "would like to see the federal government get out of their business."
The Republican hopefuls debated at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Vally, but all eyes were on the new kid -- Perry -- who has rocketed to the top of the polls since joining the race last month.
Perry, a favorite of tea party conservatives who also appeals to the religious right, came under attack at times from his rivals at the debate sponsored by NBC News and Politico. It was Perry's first debate appearance, while the other candidates have already faced each other a few times.
NBC News anchor Brian Williams and Politico editor John Harris moderated, with Perry joined onstage by Romney, Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Georgia businessman Herman Cain, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Santorum.
Most of the criticism of fellow candidates was aimed at Perry and Romney. Overall, the candidates tended to lambaste Obama, with knocks for his policies on energy, Libya, the minimum wage and health care reform.
Obama, Bachmann said, has weakened the U.S military presence across the globe and isn't doing enough to ensure Iran doesn't have an arsenal nuclear arms.
Gingrich drew applause when he said defeating Obama is the party's top goal. Both he and Romney said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would not serve in their administrations.
Santorum touted his record on welfare reform: "We will transfer this system from a dependency system to a transitional system."
Paul spoke of too much federal regulation and Cain proposed ending the current federal tax code. Huntsman hammered away at job creation and said the Department of Homeland Security has created a fortress mentality in America.
Romney contrasted his background as a successful businessman with Perry's resume as a career politician.
Bachmann has seen her support eroded since Perry joined the Republican race on the same day. A campaign shake-up earlier this week saw manager Ed Rollins step back to an advisory role and the top deputy depart.
Rollins insisted there was no serious acrimony within the campaign, but he acknowledged that Perry's entry to the race deflated Bachmann's straw poll victory. Rollins also conceded that the race was now shaping up as Perry versus Romney, with Bachmann in third place.
The debate is one of seven such events that will take place by the end of the year, including the next one -- the CNN tea party debate on Monday.
http://us.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/09/0...html?hpt=hp_t1
Perry, Romney spar over job creation, Social Security
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 7, 2011
Our next President will either be Romney or Perry my friends.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Debate newcomer Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney clashed over their job creation records, health care and Social Security at the Republican presidential debate Wednesday night.
"When I came in as governor, we were in a real free-fall," Romney said. Unemployment was 4.7% when he left office, the former GOP front-runner said.
Perry said his opponent had a great record creating jobs in private business, but not so much as a political leader. The Texan said he helped create 1 million jobs in a decade. Romney countered that Texas had advantages over Massachusetts, including no income tax, the oil and gas industry and fewer unions.
The eight Republican hopefuls said President Barack Obama doesn't understand how to fix the economy.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a tea party favorite who won the Ames straw poll in Iowa last month, said health care reform legislation passed under Obama's leadership is hurting job creation and should be repealed.
Romney criticized Perry over his anti-Washington book titled "Fed Up." In it, Perry refers to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme," which could make him vulnerable to Democratic attacks in a general election campaign if he wins the Republican nomination.
"A candidate should be committed to saving Social Security," Romney said.
Perry stood by the "Ponzi scheme" remark, saying "maybe it's time to have provocative language" because the current Social Security system will fail younger workers.
GOP strategist Karl Rove called Perry's Social Security comments "toxic" in an interview Wednesday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."
On the issue of immigration, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum said it is vital for America -- when done legally. Romney said business and institutional incentives that draw illegal immigrants should be curbed while Perry said more troops are needed on the Mexican border.
Romney came under criticism for individual mandates in Massachusetts health care reform, but he said it was needed because too many people were getting taxpayer-funded care at hospitals. Perry said Texans "would like to see the federal government get out of their business."
The Republican hopefuls debated at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Vally, but all eyes were on the new kid -- Perry -- who has rocketed to the top of the polls since joining the race last month.
Perry, a favorite of tea party conservatives who also appeals to the religious right, came under attack at times from his rivals at the debate sponsored by NBC News and Politico. It was Perry's first debate appearance, while the other candidates have already faced each other a few times.
NBC News anchor Brian Williams and Politico editor John Harris moderated, with Perry joined onstage by Romney, Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Georgia businessman Herman Cain, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Santorum.
Most of the criticism of fellow candidates was aimed at Perry and Romney. Overall, the candidates tended to lambaste Obama, with knocks for his policies on energy, Libya, the minimum wage and health care reform.
Obama, Bachmann said, has weakened the U.S military presence across the globe and isn't doing enough to ensure Iran doesn't have an arsenal nuclear arms.
Gingrich drew applause when he said defeating Obama is the party's top goal. Both he and Romney said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would not serve in their administrations.
Santorum touted his record on welfare reform: "We will transfer this system from a dependency system to a transitional system."
Paul spoke of too much federal regulation and Cain proposed ending the current federal tax code. Huntsman hammered away at job creation and said the Department of Homeland Security has created a fortress mentality in America.
Romney contrasted his background as a successful businessman with Perry's resume as a career politician.
Bachmann has seen her support eroded since Perry joined the Republican race on the same day. A campaign shake-up earlier this week saw manager Ed Rollins step back to an advisory role and the top deputy depart.
Rollins insisted there was no serious acrimony within the campaign, but he acknowledged that Perry's entry to the race deflated Bachmann's straw poll victory. Rollins also conceded that the race was now shaping up as Perry versus Romney, with Bachmann in third place.
The debate is one of seven such events that will take place by the end of the year, including the next one -- the CNN tea party debate on Monday.
http://us.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/09/0...html?hpt=hp_t1
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