The Democrats' battle for the hearts and minds - and wallets - of voters worried about Social Security hits the road Friday, with its first stop at a New York City college.Ya think?
On the same day President Bush visits Westfield, N.J., to tout his plan for personal accounts within Social Security, Senate Democrats will bring their opposing effort to Pace University.
The Pace event, featuring former presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and New York's two senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, kicks off a swing through three other cities: Philadelphia, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
``The facts will expose the administration's inflammatory and misleading sales pitch on Social Security privatization,'' Kerry said. ``Instead of trying to tear down Social Security, we are trying to give Americans the honest conversation deserve.'' [sic]
Pace University spokesman Chris Cory said about 20 percent of the seating at the 650-seat auditorium will be reserved for students, and the rest of the tickets will be distributed by the Democratic Policy Committee.
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Susan Doha, executive director of the Center for the Independence of the Disabled, said she expected the crowd to be largely critical of the president's plan.
They must have convinced the President because ScrappleFace reports Bush Flip-Flops on Social Security, No Reform Needed:
I was wrong," Mr. Bush said, "In fact, things are going so well with Social Security that today I propose to put members of Congress on the same terrific plan enjoyed by the rest of our citizens. Since it ain't broke yet and there's no crisis yet, I know they'll embrace this equal opportunity proposal. Who could vote against it?"Actually, he should propose it.
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"As our elected officials look forward to hauling down that kind of retirement loot," Mr. Bush said, "I'm sure the next piece of legislation will be a resolution thanking God for Social Security."
