Texas Toast

The state with the largest proportion of elderly voters traditionally wouldn't nominate a candidate with such a stance. But the Texas governor might be able to break convention.

By Paul West, Washington Bureau
LA Times
September 11, 2011

Reporting from Tampa, Fla.

Rick Perry's provocative views about Social Security — he's described it as "a failure" and a "monstrous lie" to younger Americans — have gotten the attention of Republicans in Florida looking at the Texas governor as a potential presidential nominee.

In a state with the largest proportion of elderly voters — 1 in 3 GOP primary voters is 65 or older, many of them living on fixed incomes — Social Security is a perennial concern. Traditionally, a candidate espousing Perry's views wouldn't stand a chance.

Some still believe he doesn't, citing polls that repeatedly demonstrate support for the federal program and a reluctance to side with politicians who seek to drastically change it. Fellow GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney appeared to have those numbers in mind last week when he criticized Perry as a sure general election loser because of his Social Security stance.

One well-connected Florida Republican strategist, speaking anonymously to preserve relations with the candidates, predicted: "If Perry doesn't correct the way he's talking about Social Security, he's toast." The governor will get an opportunity Monday night, when he and seven other GOP contenders meet in a CNN/Tea Party Express debate in Tampa.

(More here.)