Few See Gains From Social Security Tour -NYT

[Rose Siding]

Midway through their 60-day coast-to-coast blitz to promote fundamental revisions in Social Security, President Bush and others in his administration have been unable to pry loose any Democratic senators from the solid wall of opposition.
....
"Having just held 15 town meetings in my state," said Representative Jim Leach of Iowa, whose district includes Cedar Rapids, where the president spoke, "I think it is clear that the solvency concern is taking root. It is also clear that support of personal accounts has maybe slightly increased, but opposition has hardened substantially."

Mr. Leach, who flew back to Washington with Mr. Bush on Air Force One and who said he was "open to the possibility of personal accounts," questioned whether the president could overcome the united front presented by the Democrats.

Democrats, Mr. Leach said, "look at this as their chance to take control of Congress."

Whatever the reason, people who have worked on Capitol Hill for generations said they could not remember a time when Democrats in the Senate were so unified.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/03/politics/03social.html?ex=1270184400&en=f6a35cf34024852a&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

[EVDebs]

1. Einstein's quote about the definition of insanity ....

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again
and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein

Now, after some 15 scripted stops, the Repubs are expecting ... changes ? If the shoe fits...

[Iowa]

3. They're used to getting their way...

I view Republicans as more like spoiled children. They're like demanding brats who scream, lie, break things, hit, manipulate, throw tantrums... whatever it takes to get their way. GW is nothing but a lazy, spoiled, dumb, rich, Daddy's boy - and his tantrums will get worse before they abate - just like a brat. Democratic leaders (and the 49% of the electorate with a brain) must behave like strong parents and seize control of this chaotic mess - for the good of the entire national family.

[Erika]

4. Republicans weren't prepared for the Bush neocons

and the country is now without leadership that represents the mainstream. We are in chaos.

[Straight Shooter]

7. Perceptive assessment

Welcome to DU :hi:

[newyawker99]

8. Hi Iowa!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Ironpost]

2. So there is a silver lining

[PassingFair]

5. We should see this sentence EVERY TIME the 'pukes throw up

bad legislation:
"President Bush and others in his administration have been unable to pry loose any Democratic senators from the solid wall of opposition."

[applegrove]

6. It is all about keeping Bush out of Rove's Oval Office. Rove has work to

do and bug-boy keeps thinking he is the real president.

[gratuitous]

9. But of course the obvious conclusion escapes them . . .

It's a BAD idea that doesn't solve the alleged problem it proposes to answer; Bush himself has said as much.

I know that Stupidhead doesn't have the brainpower to see the obvious, but apparently he generates an impenetrable Field of Stupid that envelopes those around him rendering them incapable of discerning the obvious.