"If we give the gift of Social Security to the Democrats, it will be the gift that keeps on giving"

“Usually [electability] is not the most effective appeal in primaries where activists are the main voices,’’ said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history at Princeton University. “In this election though, the anger toward President Obama is so intense for the Republican Party that the electability argument might be stronger than it usually is.’’…

“Governor Perry has run numerous races, and people who have had that line on us before are now home watching reruns on TV of ‘CSI: Miami,’ ’’ said Mark Miner, a spokesman for Perry’s campaign. “This electability issue comes from someone who has been running for president for five years. If someone has an electability problem, it’s Mitt Romney. He’s made a career out of it, and not a very successful one.’’…

“If we give the gift of Social Security to the Democrats, it will be the gift that keeps on giving,’’ said Representative Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who has been backed by the Tea Party and supports Romney. “You’ve got to be able to attract the center to ultimately win. Who’s going to play better in Florida, Mitt Romney or Governor Perry? Who’s going to play better in populations with high numbers of seniors?’’