GOP candidates spar on Social Security in debate

AAA??Sep. 12, 2011?10:24 PM ET
GOP candidates spar on Social Security in debate
AP

Republican presidential candidates, from left, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, businessman Herman Cain, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, applaud before a Republican presidential debate Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Republican presidential candidates, from left, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, businessman Herman Cain, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, applaud before a Republican presidential debate Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Republican presidential candidates, from left, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, businessman Herman Cain, Rep. Michele Bachman, R-Minn, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, sing the National Anthem before a Republican presidential debate Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have sparred over Social Security's future during Monday's Republican presidential debate, with each pointing to passages in the other's book that could be damaging in a general election.

Perry has defended calling the entitlement a "Ponzi scheme", a characterization of fraud that Romney calls "unnecessary, over the top" language that scares seniors, a key voting bloc.

Perry says others have used similar language to describe the program and says Romney was just as reckless when he likened the program to a criminal enterprise in his book.

Perry says he would guarantee the program for older Americans but adds that the program needs to be adjusted for younger workers. Romney says the program is essential and is vowing to defend it.

Associated Press

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