Will the Social Security "debate" be decided by The Polls?

[BlueManDude]

Recently I've read in a number of articles how AWOL's SS phase out plan is not going over with the public and how the WH believes it has something like a 6 week window to turn public opinion around. This left me wondering how exactly will they measure if public opinion has been "turned around"?

Like most of you I'm very leery of all the major news organizations who conduct polls (partcularly Gallup) and have about zero trust in any of them. Would it surprise anyone to learn that BushCo is leaning on the say...CNN to ask questions a certain way when conducting a SS phase out poll? I mean, if the polls are the barometer that will be used to decide on SS phase out - it would follow suit that the GOP would do what it could to corrupt them. Just some food for though.

[wolfgirl]

1. In the short term,

I suspect the GOP will let this drag on with no real action taken unti after the '06 election cycle. Then, Gof forbid, they retain their standing in Congress they will go full bore to hit it with a wrecking ball.

OR, there will be some awful event to take people's minds off the issue and/or Bush will use some sort of Executive Order to chip & chip & chip away.

[BlueManDude]

4. They will only get one bite at the apple

If AWOL is going to destroy SS it has to happen now. He won't be able to address the issue again. After the midterms it's prez primary season in full and his influence will be lessened. NO GOP prez hopefuls will campaign on SS phase out. It's now or never.

[blondeatlast]

5. We need to keep talking it up with points like yours.

They may let it die now, but as long as we keep SocSec an issue, the Republicans up for re-election are going to have some real problems. We need to hammer it clear up to 2006.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. If Bush is so worried about the future

isn't developing alternative energy sources a much more immediate need?

[wolfgirl]

6. We may recognize

alternative energy development is needed, but the only Bush & Co are concerned w/is full control & authority over anything that might generate $$.

[GOPBasher]

10. Yes, and paying down the debt, and addressing a host of other

environmental problems. And about a billion other things. But hey, what do we know? We're just those part of that stupid, liberal, "elite" who studies and thinks and all that shit. :eyes:

[blondeatlast]

3. It wouldn't surprise me a bit, but a note of optimism is called for here.

Look at Arizona's (my state) own JD Hayworth. He's a bootlicking BushBot who'll do anything the man says, ususally. Except that he is in a state that has a disproportionate amount of politically savvy and active retirees. He votes for the piratization, there's an exceedingly good chance the gray army in Arizona will mobilize against him--and they've succeeded before in getting incumbents out.They are very savvy and very organized; the Sun City Democrats are a force to be reckoned with indeed! Easily some of the most active and willing volunteers around.

On their little road trip, the BushBots are being shocked that the talking points memoes aren't working; that will give an enormous amount of even RW Republicans pause if they are up for re-election.

[wolfgirl]

7. I don't think

Bush & Co care what the polls say...they will keep trying to destroy SS...Then again (tinfoil hat time), maybe SS reform is just a diversion for something much worse. I don't put it past 'em, so I keep my eyes & ears open and my guard up!

[kentuck]

8. That's the plan...

Just like they plan on winning the war on terrorism. It's all about PR. They may even hire Armstrong Williams to help them.

[kentuck]

9. They have 100's of millions of dollars already for their polls and PR

They ae not going to stop until every red cent is spent trying to convince the people to give up their first born son for the good of the Party and the Homeland.