Biden, Romney joust over Social Security

As President Obama focuses on fundraising, Vice President Biden carried the ball for his re-election campaign today by attacking Mitt Romney on Social Security.

Biden began a two-day tour on Florida -- home of many senior citizen voters -- by arguing that Romney's proposed tax cuts will actually lead to higher taxes on Social Security benefits in order to sustain that program.

"It could mean everyone -- every one of you -- would be paying taxes on your Social Security," Biden told a crowd of about 850 people today at a retirement community in Boca Raton, Fla.

"Right now," Biden had said, "the majority of seniors don't have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits."

Romney's people called it a false charge, and noted that the Social Security Trust Fund is on track to be exhausted by the Year 2033.

"Seniors face a 25% across-the-board benefit cut because of President Obama's failure to lead on this issue," said Romney spokesman Ryan Williams.

Williams said Romney has "a plan to save and strengthen Social Security that does not raise taxes and ensures that our middle-class seniors receive all of the benefits they've earned."

In Florida, Biden linked Romney's plans to those of his running mate Paul Ryan, who would revamp the Medicare and Social Security systems to help reduce the $16 trillion federal debt.

The vice president also hit the Republicans for proposing new tax cuts "for the super wealthy," saying they cannot pay for them "unless they eviscerate the rest of the budget."

In addition, the Obama campaign announced a new campaign today designed to encourage young supporters to send eCards to their parents and grandparents about the Social Security and Medicare issues.