As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite Look Toward Romney - Party establishment is at odds with how races often unfold.

From The New York Times:

The rising presidential candidacy of Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is stirring excitement for many Republican voters but is creating unease in some quarters of the party’s establishment, particularly over his views of Social Security, which are at the root of an intensifying competition with Mitt Romney.

The decision on Monday by Tim Pawlenty, a former Republican presidential rival, to support Mr. Romney’s campaign signals the beginning of an effort by some party leaders to try to slow the ascent of Mr. Perry — or to push him to explain positions that are considered provocative.

In announcing his endorsement on Monday, Mr. Pawlenty said he believed Mr. Romney was the only candidate with the “unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament.” The judgment of Mr. Pawlenty, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, was carefully watched by some Republicans because he knows both men well.

The endorsement was a visible marker in a quietly continuing battle for the soul and direction of the Republican Party between traditional party leaders and grass-roots conservatives. To some degree it is a clash of styles and of principle versus pragmatism, but it also encompasses foreign and domestic policy differences, some of which have surfaced as the presidential campaign has intensified.

The comments Mr. Perry has made about Social Security — questioning its financial footing and its constitutionality — were at the center of a Republican presidential debate here Monday night.

The intense focus on the topic has caused anxiety among some Republicans working to win a Senate majority and keep control of the House next year.

“The people who are on Social Security today, they need to understand something,” Mr. Perry said at the outset of a contentious exchange at the debate. “Slam-dunk guaranteed. That program is going to be there for them when they arrive there.”

Over and over again, Mr. Romney directed questions directly at his rival: “Do you still believe that Social Security should be ended as a federal program like you did six months ago?”

The balancing act between the Republican establishment and the activists who have gained prominence in the Tea Party movement has been unfolding for nearly two years, testing a party that wants to corral its enthusiasm without alienating moderate voters. But the 2012 campaign is the first presidential race to take place since the Tea Party began influencing the composition of the Republican electorate.

While many party leaders are taking a wait-and-see approach before choosing sides in the presidential primary, Republican advisers to House and Senate campaigns said they were not eager for Social Security to become a central theme in their races next year. Several Republicans have said they are waiting for a series of debates to play out before making a decision.

One month after declaring his bid for the Republican nomination, Mr. Perry has solidified an early edge in polls. But his popularity among activists has not been widely echoed by the party establishment, which is at odds with how races often unfold.

Hours after Mr. Pawlenty announced his endorsement of Mr. Romney, the Perry campaign said it had secured the support of Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, who traveled to Florida to attend the Republican debate. Mr. Jindal said the economic record that Mr. Perry had built in Texas would hold strong appeal for Republican voters.

a large share of governors, members of Congress and donors are still watching the campaign from a distance, with a mix of curiosity and concern about the rise of Mr. Perry. They admire his ability to connect with voters, particularly with those in the Tea Party movement, but they have raised concerns about his ability to appeal to moderate voters in the general election.