On Thursday, Gov. Rick Perry gave a speech at the National Press Club focusing mainly on the issues of race and poverty. During the speech he promised to submit welfare reform to Congress that would include an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, to combat poverty.

"I'm here to tell you it's Republicans, not Democrats, who are truly offering black Americans the hope for a better life," said Perry. He mentioned the success of policies in Texas that were designed to combat poverty, increase graduation rates, create jobs, and lower the cost of attending college, which he called one of the "biggest barriers today to entering the middle class."

Perry also said Democrats have "long had the opportunity to govern in African-American communities" but have proven highly unsuccessful. "It is time to help black families hold them accountable for the results," he said.

However, it is his welfare reform promise that is getting a lot of attention on social media, and already some pushback from those who see it as a modified Democrat talking point.

If I am elected President, I will send to Congress a welfare reform bill that will take the money we already spend on non-health care-related, anti-poverty programs and split it into two parts.

The first part will be an expanded and reformed version of the Earned Income Tax Credit so that anyone with a job can live above the poverty level. The second part will consist of a block grant so that states can care for their safety net populations in the manner that best serves their residents.

This is framed as a way to incentivize work, and is meant to be in keeping with another quotable moment from the speech, saying "the only true cure for poverty is a job."

There will no doubt be extensive analysis of this campaign promise in the coming hours and days. Still, it can fairly be said that Gov. Perry delivered what is so far one of the most frank and pointed discussions on race and poverty, and how they relate to the two parties, of this early campaign season.