Rick Perry Makes Impression on Wealthy Silicon Valley Donors

EAST PALO ALTO (KCBS) — Texas Governor Rick Perry made his Bay Area debut as a presidential candidate on Friday with an appearance in East Palo Alto to raise money in his first California campaign swing.

He privately met with about 100 campaign contributors and then said he wasn't backing down from his controversial criticism of Social Security calling it a "Ponzi scheme" and a monstrous lie to young people.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

"It is broken. It is not going to be there for them. Let's be adults here. Quit trying to be a political gamesman," said Perry who then implored for leadership. "Leaders stand up and say, we've got a broken system, here's how we fix it."

Perry also said President Obama's jobs plan is misguided and won't work. He claimed that the borrowing programs that are being implemented by the current Administration are only creating temporary jobs at best.

The GOP's front-running candidate made a strong impression on donors that came to the Four Seasons Hotel in a fleet of Ferraris, Maseratis, and Porsches, doling out $5,000 each to meet the lanky, folksy Lone Star State Governor.

Tad Taube, a Prominent Philanthropist, pledged his support, calling Perry, "very attractive" and "personable".

"He knows how to meet people and he's going to be a great candidate, no question about it."

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