WSJ's Harwood: RESISTANCE GROWS to Social Security changes. [View All]

WASHINGTON WIRE

By JOHN HARWOOD
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
January 28, 2005; Page A4

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RESISTANCE GROWS to Social Security changes.

As Republicans balk at political risks, Democrats gain confidence in challenging the re-elected president. Democratic pollster Geoff Garin predicts Bush will founder on details as Clinton did in health-overhaul battle. Democratic tax-writer Neal, who relied on survivor benefits as a teenager, moves to Social Security subcommittee to defend them.

In the Journal/NBC News poll, just 13% say Social Security needs "complete overhaul"; though Bush rules out a payroll-tax increase for improving solvency, 24% call it an acceptable option, dwarfing the 5% who embrace benefit cuts. Republican Rep. Linder, asserting "Social Security as a stand-alone reform is probably dead," touts replacement of income taxes with a 23% consumption levy as a solution to Social Security solvency. A senior White House official calls it "way too premature" to combine the two issues.

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Write to John Harwood at john.harwood@wsj.com