Texas Governor Rick Perry held a brief news conference this evening in Des Moines.  Earlier today in Ottumwa he was asked about Social Security, and he repeated that it was a “Ponzi scheme” and a “monstrous lie” to younger generations who are contributing into the system.

During the news conference, Perry said this at the six-and-a-half minute mark:  “I haven’t backed off anything in my book, so read the book again and get it right, so next question.”

Pressed at the 9:50 mark on the issue of Medicare, Perry responded: “I never said it was unconstitutional. Look, I look at Medicare just like I look at Social Security. They’re programs that aren’t working and we ought to have a national conversation about it. You know, those that have said I said they’re unconstitutional, have ‘em read the book. That’s not what I said.”

Here’s some background on the backing off issue.

The first question during the news conference was about ethanol and Perry repeated what he’d told the corn growers earlier today.

AUDIO: Perry’s news conference 12 min

Texas Governor Rick Perry is the second presidential candidate to speak at the Polk County GOP’s picnic this evening.  The master of ceremonies, WHO Radio’s Simon Conway, began by reading a letter from a veteran who cannot be here tonight.  That veteran, Will Gormley (spelling on his last name a guess)  praised Perry’s “heat-seeking comments” in his letter and asked Conway to give Perry a 1911 holster.

“‘It’s named after the year is was first made by Colt and this is the centennial year for the 1911,” Perry advised the crowd.   He gestured toward a John Deere tractor parked right outside the bar.

“I just want to take a moment. I learned to drive on an A model John Deere.  That’s a poppin’ Johnny right here…so God Bless John Deere. They have helped feed the world. We just need a little rain down in Texas so we can do our part,” Perry said.

Perry talked about his ag roots and he thanked Iowans who have organized a shipment of hay to drought-striken Texas livestock farmers.

Perry said Iowa has “lost 12,100  jobs” since Obama took office.  Today one in eight Iowans are on food stamps, he said. ”That is a testament to the widespread misery…that the state known for feeding the world has so many residents dependent on government.”

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The announcement from the party:

TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY SADDLES UP
FOR THE POLK COUNTY REPUBLICAN SUMMER PICNIC

Des Moines, Iowa – 8/23/2011 –

Texas Governor Rick Perry, recently announced Presidential candidate,  will be saddling up to the Polk County  Republicans at their second annual Summer Picnic this Saturday,  at the Iowa State Fairgrounds’ Jalapeno Pete’s restaurant on Saturday, August 27,  5-7:30 p.m.  
  
… “This event promises to be lively,” said Kevin McLaughlin, Polk County Republican Chairman.  He noted that other U.S. Presidential candidates who just couldn’t get enough of the beautiful Iowa State Fairgrounds’ locale will include announced presidential candidates  U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter.  Former New York Governor George Pataki will also be speaking to the Republicans.  
 
Other local officials at the picnic will include Iowa state senators Jack Whitver and Brad Zaun as well as state representatives Erik Helland, Kevin Koester and Scott Raecker.  Polk County Supervisor E.J. Giovanetti will make brief remarks. 
 
Hosted by WHO Radio news talk show host Simon Conway, the Polk County Summer Picnic is $25 per person and will feature hamburgers, hot dogs and the usual summer fare, along with tractor rides around the Iowa State Fairgrounds and other fun activities.