WASHINGTON – Democrats are sharpening their arguments against the two candidates leading the Republican presidential field, hoping to soften up Rick Perry of Texas and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts before next year's general election.
Democrats want to undercut the economic records that Perry and Romney developed while serving as governors of their respective states. They also hope to tie Republicans to the tea party and raise concerns about their support for Social Security for seniors.
Republicans won't settle on a challenger to President Barack Obama for months, but Democrats are trying to turn next year's election into a choice between Obama and his opponent.
Obama's weakened standings in the polls and a struggling economy make it likely that next year's campaign will turn negative and draw sharp contrasts between the candidates.
