Social Security debate at stalemate

[NeoConsSuck]

As he nears the end of a 60-day cross-country campaign, President Bush appears to be further from achieving his signature goal of transforming Social Security than when he began.

Nearly half of those surveyed in the USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Polls aid Bush was 'trying to dismantle the Social Security system,' not protect it.

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Bush says he's optimistic the public will demand action and warns that lawmakers who refuse will pay a political price.

<snip>
"The more the president goes out there, the worse his numbers," says Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat who opposes Bush's plan. After Bush visited Cedar Rapids, a statewide poll by the Des Moines Register showed just 26% of Iowans approved of his Social Security plan; 65% disapproved.

Harkin jokes that Democrats have advice for Bush: "Extend the 60-day tour to 120 days."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-24-social-security-stalemate_x.htm

[Demit]

1. His hand-picked audiences get to see how stupid he is up close

Yes, keep him out there! His performances will continue to change hearts and minds.

[sendero]

2. Folks..

... this is important. It means more than "people don't trust Bush** on SS", it means "people don't trust Bush**".

People just don't trust him any more, his credibility wanes with every passing day.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Social Security debate at stalemate

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-24-social-security-stalemate_x.htm

As he nears the end of a 60-day cross-country campaign, President Bush appears to be further from achieving his signature goal of transforming Social Security than when he began.

Support for Bush's vision of individual investment accounts has ebbed; a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken this month shows nearly twice as many Americans oppose the idea as support it. The public's sense of urgency on Social Security has slipped a bit. Not a single Senate Democrat has come out in support of Bush's plan.

And Republicans are divided. Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who convenes hearings on Social Security on Tuesday, is open to putting individual accounts aside and focusing on the system's long-term solvency. But some conservatives, including Reps. Mike Pence of Indiana and John Shadegg of Arizona, members of the House leadership, want a showdown on accounts.

Bush says he's optimistic the public will demand action and warns that lawmakers who refuse will pay a political price. But some strategists on both sides say the odds of striking a deal on Social Security — even just to cope with the approaching financial crunch — are fading. They are calculating who will get the blame if and when nothing happens.

[Stuckinthebush]

4. And how much money did this tour cost you and me?

I despise Bush with all of my being.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. LOL

Extend the 60-day tour to 120-days!

Fucking hilarious line from Tom Harkin. They should play this line up. It highlights the failure of Bush's propaganda offensive, and you just know it will infuriate Bush, who believes he is the most persuasive fella there is. Great line: keep it up!

[creeksneakers2]

6. Why let it "stalemate?"

Dems should be attacking and talking all the time about how bad Bush's scheme is. Dems should demand Bush puts forward a plan (keep asking what he has to hide..and point out that the his own GOP demanded a plan before moving). Dems also need to inform the public that they paid in extra to create the trust fund and Bush is trying to take away what the public paid extra for to finance tax cuts for the rich.