By Conn Carroll
Two debate moments have defined the Republican presidential primary race so far. One sent a campaign into a slow death spiral the other solidified a new entrant as the frontrunner.
The first moment came in June at the New Hampshire Republican debate when former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty failed to back up his Obamneycare" charge with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on stage with him.
The exchange made Pawlenty look weak and his poll and fundraising numbers only fell after that point.
The second moment came last night when Politicos John Harris challenged Texas Gov. Rick Perry to defend the statements he made about Social Security in his book Fed Up! Unlike Pawlenty Perry did not back down. He even repeated the charge from his book that the program is a Ponzi scheme … and its not right."
For Republican primary voters who are looking for a candidate who is not afraid to take on our most sacred entitlement programs someone who will have the courage to stare down Democrats and help pass a Paul Ryan-like entitlement reform plan Perry proved he can be that candidate last night.
No other candidate has proved that yet.
Debate Reactions
The Washington Examiners Byron York: There was a lot of talk before the debate about whether Perry could win simply by showing up and doing pretty well … Well Perry showed up and did pretty well. But in his positions and statements on Social Security and immigration his
campaign faces mortal danger."
The Washington Examiners Michael Barone: My overall take is that Rick Perry in his first presidential debate ever did not perform commensurately with his recent lead in the polls but did not do badly either; Mitt Romney was smooth and sometimes even interesting.
The Washington Examiners Phil Klein: When the dust settles on presidential debates they are usually remembered for one defining moment and in this case that was undeniably the exchange between the races two frontrunners on Social Security. … The exchange more than any other moment in the debate epitomized the contrast between Perry and Romneys approaches to the campaign. Romney is the establishment candidate who is trying to win on the basis of being the most reasonable" and electable whereas Perry wants to come across as somebody who will stick to his conservative principles and tell it like it is."
The Corners John Pitney: In September 1980 the DNC circulated old newspaper clippings quoting Reagan as saying that the program should be voluntary. … And Democrats thought that one of the Gippers debate comments provided them with even more material: The Social Security system was based on a false premise with regard to how fast the number of workers would increase and how fast the number of retirees would increase." Reagan of course won big. And he carried the over-60 vote by a 13-point margin."
The Corners Stanley Kurtz: This was a very successful debate debut for Rick Perry. It confirms his position as the leader of the field. … Perry didnt back off of his monstrous lie" and Ponzi scheme" remarks and that just might win him the nomination. … Are there risks? Of course. But Perrys onto something when he says that Americans know our entitlements are in trouble. Increasingly they do. And the public awareness of this problem is growing week by week."
The Corners Ramesh Ponnuru: Perry did well enough but he was surprisingly badly prepared for predictable questions about global warming and even his Texas record. He was confident and aggressive but he lost altitude during the evening. … On the merits I think Romney won. But he is now the underdog and he did not win by enough to make a difference."
The Washington Posts Jen Rubin: Karl Rove and Dick Cheney put the Social Security issue front and center. … Perry remarkably didnt have a pithy answer and refused to disclaim the remarks in his controversial book. And he didnt offer a tangible plan that would demonstrate his desire to repair and preserve Social Security."
RedStates Erick Eriskson: I dont think Perry had as strong a performance tonight as he could have. He stumbled several times. Romney had a stronger performance the strongest of anyone on stage in fact. But then Romney has been in this dog and pony show since 2007. Perry is just stepping up to this level. He made no major mistakes but could have been stronger on the HPV issue and a few other issues."
The Washington Posts Michael Gerson: Perry met the basic standards of candidate competence. He was generally prepared usually able to produce information at appropriate moments. … But Perry was hardly the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan. Perry often seemed awkward nervous and programmed. On several questions he left an impression of policy shallowness."
