Editorial: Straight talk needed

Monday, Dec. 27, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

Last week, during his end-of-the-year news conference, President Bush was asked about his plans to overhaul Social Security. A reporter mentioned to Bush, who is advocating the partial privatization of Social Security, that he hasn't talked about some of the other measures that might be necessary to shore up the fund's financial solvency. Specifically, the president was asked why he hasn't discussed increasing the retirement age, reducing benefits or imposing means testing for Social Security.

Bush refused to answer the reporter's question, however. "Don't bother to ask me," Bush said. The president said that he wasn't going "to start playing my hand," suggesting that answering specific questions about Social Security now would hurt him later when he tries to negotiate with Congress. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans, too, believe that it will only require tweaking to ensure Social Security's solvency, not a sweeping transformation as Bush is contemplating.

If the president genuinely believes Social Security is facing a "crisis," as he said just two weeks ago during the White House's economic conference, then he should be openly discussing all of the options that are available now. That would be real presidential leadership -- and a breath of fresh air for this White House.