Editorial: President’s rough ride

Friday, March 4, 2005 | 9:01 a.m.

Last week Congress wasn't in session, so members were able to go home and meet their constituents. The White House urged Republicans, while away from Washington, to champion President Bush's plan to partially privatize Social Security, and many did. But the feedback they received wasn't all positive. Far from it. Many of them reported that there wasn't much appetite for the president's plan.

Polling this week reinforces the skepticism that members of Congress -- both Democrats and Republicans -- are hearing firsthand about the president's proposal. A Gallup-USA Today-CNN poll late last week found that Bush's approval rating for his handling of Social Security dropped from 43 percent in early February to 35 percent now. A New York Times/CBS News poll reported that 51 percent of respondents said it was a bad idea to allow individuals to invest some of their Social Security taxes in private accounts. The opposition to Bush's plan increased to 69 percent when those polled were informed that his private account plan would also mean a reduction in guaranteed Social Security benefits. When roughly 7 out of 10 Americans oppose a plan to dramatically alter Social Security -- a beloved government program -- members of Congress, who must stand for re-ele ction, will get skittish, even those who are Republican and loyal to Bush.

The president's nationwide campaign to transform Social Security, a push that began in earnest following his State of the Union speech a month ago, obviously is sputtering. But it's still early and, as this president demonstrated in his campaign for re-election last year, he is a formidable campaigner who shouldn't be underestimated. And Bush also will be helped by privately financed groups to peddle his plan. One such group that wants privatization, USA Next, is using the same public relations consultants who worked with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during 2004. If those spin doctors could persuade enough Americans to question the patriotism of John Kerry, a war hero, there is no telling what they are capable of doing in mangling the truth about Social Security.

As we've noted before, in light of the changing demographics, Social Security is going to face a cash flow problem: Millions of people in the "baby boom" generation are nearing retirement, a development occurring at the same time fewer Americans are entering the workforce. But, if current conditions hold up, the government would not reach a point of having to reduce full benefits until 2042. There certainly isn't a crisis that requires a hurried response, despite what the White House and Republican congressional leaders say. So far we're encouraged that the public, and many members of Congress, are skeptical of Bush's plan, which, in our view, would lead to a dismantling of Social Security.