Bush Shifts Emphasis on Social Security as Frist Flip Flops

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Thursday he would focus for now on the financial problems facing Social Security, signaling a shift in tactics amid a slide in support for his private account plan, Reuters reported.

"People are beginning to say, we have a problem," Bush told reporters. "The next phase, when people say we have a problem, is going to be, what are you going to do about it?

"And I'm willing to put out some ideas about what to do about it. In my judgment, ultimately, politicians need to be worried about not being a part of the solution."

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Thursday that Congress must confront Social Security's problems this year, dialing back comments earlier in the week that action might have to wait, The Associated Press reported.

“We need to do it this year. Not the next year,'' Frist said Thursday on the Senate floor. “We are working towards this goal.''

Two days ago, Frist noted intense Democratic opposition and suggested he might not be able to move a bill to the Senate floor this year, as Bush has pushed for. “I want to be realistic,'' Frist said on Tuesday.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 3/4/05