September 15, 2011 07:15 PM UTC

Jumping on Perry's "Ponzi Scheme" Grenade

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• by: Colorado Pols

As the Los Angeles Times reports:

[Mitt] Romney, speaking at a gated adult community in the Phoenix suburbs, reiterated his attack on Perry’s claim that Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme” and that it ought to be handled by the states instead of the federal government.

“Social Security is not a Ponzi scheme,” the former Massachusetts governor told hundreds of seniors gathered in Sun Lakes. “Social Security has worked for 75 years pretty darn well. You guys are not taking advantage of Social Security. You contributed to it; it’s a savings plan, a pension plan. There are no bad guys in Social Security, so I don’t call it a Ponzi scheme.”

Romney said Perry’s suggestion that the plan shift to the states was unmanageable because people move and live in multiple states, and he feared that state legislators would raid the funds when facing financial difficulties. He said that the program did need to be reformed for younger workers, and that raising the retirement age was among the options he would consider.

“I will save Social Security financially and as a federal program,” said Romney, who was interrupted with applause.

They call proposals to cut, privatize, or otherwise substantially alter Social Security “touching the third rail” of politics, and for a good reason–attacks on Social Security inevitably raise questions from the millions of Americans who either rely on the program in retirement, know someone who does, or for some silly reason hope to themselves someday. After Texas Gov. and new GOP presidential frontrunner Rick Perry doubled down on his characterization of Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme” in recent debates, opponent Mitt Romney saw an opening to attack Perry in defense of Social Security–and is vigorously taking it.

Obviously, this represents a major breach between two popular candidates, and opens the door to infighting within the GOP on the issue–well illustrated in a recent interview of RNC chairman Reince Priebus, forced to defend Perry in a situation where he clearly didn’t want to.

Well folks, in today’s arch-conservative Colorado Springs Gazette, editor Wayne Laugesen bets the farm in defense of Perry: “Social Security is the essence of a Ponzi scheme–possibly history’s most exploitative Ponzi scheme [Pols emphasis]–and it cannot be sustained.” Instead of simply acknowledging a difference of opinion within the party, the Gazette chose to get out in front of Perry’s controversial talking point with a flamethrower.

Perry says thanks, but we would soften this message a little before delivery to Grandma.