—The intelligent move is to bring up reform after the election.—
I think it is a cowardly move. The retired are not stupid. It is very easy to get the message out that nobody currently on SS or very close to it will be affected by what Perry is suggesting. Will it cost him votes? You bet. But it will also get him votes, both from the intelligent and ethical SS recipients as well as those who are not on SS, including those just entering thw workforce that wonder what they are going to be paying, and why.
This is almost a Sarah move. Perry is clearly winning this SS debate. It was the right move.
Perry will lose far more votes on this than he will ever gain. You clearly overestimate the intelligence of the American people and their addiction to entitlements. Historically the left has crushed the GOP on Social Security from Goldwater forward.
If Perry wins the nomination he will be defeated.