Tampa, Florida (CNN) -- A battle over Social Security launched last week between the top two GOP presidential contenders doesn't show any signs of quieting down as candidates prepare for round two at the first-ever CNN/Tea Party Republican Debate on Monday night. The debate, being held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, will also give the six other candidates on the stage a chance to change what many are portraying as a two-person race between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. It all started Wednesday night at a debate at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Perry, the new guy in the race and the current front-runner in the national polls, and Romney, the previous front-runner in the GOP battle, sparred over jobs and Social Security.
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CNN/Tea Party Republican Debate on Monday could mark early turning point in campaign
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Perry calls Social Security a "Ponzi scheme" while Romney wants to keep it in place.
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Other candidates will fight for attention as race quickly tightens
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Follow news leading up to the debate on CNNPolitics.com and @cnnpolitics on Twitter
Rick Perry
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Perry
As for Romney's charge that Perry would possibly abolish the popular government program, @placeholder's team says that the Texas governor believes that Social Security must be protected for current beneficiaries and those nearing retirement age.
Social Security
Social Security
Social Security
As for Romney's charge that Perry would possibly abolish the popular government program, Perry's team says that the Texas governor believes that @placeholder must be protected for current beneficiaries and those nearing retirement age.
Rick Perry
Perry
Perry
"But @placeholder also needs to make this clear: The 'Ponzi scheme' is what he would fix.
Ponzi scheme
"But Perry also needs to make this clear: The '@placeholder' is what he would fix.
Rick Perry
Perry
Perry
Monday night's debate could give @placeholder a second chance to make that point.