Reply #54: Don't Frighten Seniors, Bush Warns [View All]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=402341

subtitle: Don't Frighten Seniors, Bush Warns Social Security Overhaul Opponents

UIA subtitle: Shhhhh! Those are the people that vote!

NEW YORK Jan 11, 2005 — President Bush says the key to getting Social Security overhaul through Congress is to convince a majority there is a long-term problem and making sure opponents don't frighten seniors into believing their checks are going to be cut.

Asserting "an obligation to lead" on the issue, Bush said an interview with The Wall Street Journal for Tuesday's editions, that he will try to provide political cover for those who support overhaul and make it politically risky to oppose.

"I think two of the things that are going to be important for the members to understand, once they've come to the realization there is a problem, is that no longer can they frighten seniors by saying, if we do this, seniors aren't going to get their checks," he said. "I think it's become pretty clear in people's minds that the issue … does not revolve around those who have retired or those who are near retirement.

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