WP: AARP Leads With Wallet In Fight Over Social Security

[kskiska]

Bush's Plan Faces Formidable Foe

Wednesday, March 30, 2005; Page A01

In the punch-for-punch debate over Social Security, AARP is working hard to keep the White House on the ropes.

When President Bush arrives in Iowa today to talk up his private-accounts proposal, the senior citizens group plans to counter him with two news conferences, the release of a national poll, full-page newspaper advertisements and commercials on radio and television.

Over this week and last, AARP, the nation's largest lobby, will have spent more than $5 million on ads attacking the president's Social Security plan -- nearly three times as much as all the supporters of his proposal put together. That's just for starters.

Every state that has a swing-vote senator will have AARP forums, which have been drawing about 300 people each. And every time a member of Congress holds a town meeting, AARP volunteers are dispatched there to protest the president's plan for individual accounts.

(snip)

No organization has more tools or more money to wage such a battle. So both its friends and adversaries agree: AARP holds the key to how or whether Social Security will be restructured this year. "It will be very difficult to do anything without AARP's support," said Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "And it would be a heck of a lot easier if they came along."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11076-2005Mar29.html

[screembloodymurder]

1. I heard an AARP ad today

very effective radio ad.

[grytpype]

2. I love it.

Finally, someone is turning some heavy artillery on the Bushists.

Gotta love it.

[Nite Owl]

3. Their tv ad is great

the one with the plumber that says the sink is clogged we have to destroy your house and the house gets demolished. Really gets the whole point.

[autorank]

7. One of the best political ads ever. It really nails it.

Well, the neocons thought they'd pulled a little coup when they put Gingrich's butt boy in as Executive Director. Guess what, I'm sure even that clown knows which side his bread is buttered on. The images and concept of the ad really stick around, it's just perfect. And they're just warming up...hot stuff!

[ribrepin]

9. I like to think I had something to do with AARP's change of heart

After the prescription drugs bill passed, they made the mistake of sending me a membership card. I sent it back with the message "Gingrich + Novelli=right wing takeover of the AARP.

I like to think they heard my message. I'm planning to join after seeing their commercial about the plumber and destroying the house.

[autorank]

10. You did. I did the same thing, except on email.

Getting their notices after 50 is a rite of passage that pisses me off. Nevertheless, the prescrpition drug thing was crap and I screamed at them electronically. I like your technique much better. :yourock:

[ribrepin]

11. I forgot to mention the best part

I taped 6 shiny pennies to the card along with my message. The got to pay extra postage.

[autorank]

12. LOL--too funny! They deserve it. I bet the mail room liked that one!

[ozone_man]

18. That got a belly laugh out of me.

Boy did they nail it with that ad. Bush is going down on this issue.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. They're trying to make up for their MAJOR mistake in supporting....

...the prescription fiasco. They lost a lot of members over that one.

[anitar1]

6. They lost me , but now I am back onboard. n/t

[stevedeshazer]

8. Won me back, too, for now

Here is an obvious example of an organization that listened and is trying to make things right, IMO.

I sent a very angry letter to them when they were humping Bush*'s Medicare "reform".

I've rejoined now.

[ima_sinnic]

5. just TODAY received mail from AARP asking me to re-join

--I sent them such a nasty message back when they lined up behind Bushit on the Medicare fraud and let them know I would NOT be renewing. But now I plan definitely to renew my membership and will send a message commending them on the SS fight. Surprisingly there is no mention of that in this mailing. It's just a straight AARP membership solicitation.

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. A mainstream organized fight against the chimp!

May this be only the beginning! I believe this kind of thing would have begun in late 2001 had it not been for the 9/11 scare pumped up by the chimp bastard.

[fasttense]

14. I like their add. I did notice the only repuke add I saw

attacked the Dems. Typical bushites, can't say anything intelligent about their plan so they attack those who dare to disagree.

[unhappycamper]

15. All this takes big $$$$

If you believe AARP is doing the right thing, send them a check for advertising. Regular dues cannot sustain this kind of campaign.

[drduffy]

16. I will

rejoin and send some extra cash. I quit AARP for reasons similar to those mentioned above. Now, FINALLY, they seem to have regained their focus and are appropriately putting the screws to bushit.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi drduffy!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[BigBearJohn]

19. I cancelled my membership before, but now I might re-subscribe