Obama Urges Social Security Increase in Preview of Campaign Role

[kpete]

President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for an increase in Social Security benefits for the elderly as he hit the road with a speech that previewed his role as campaigner-in-chief for Democrats ahead of the November election.

The president’s comments mark a reversal after he sought a bipartisan deal five years ago that would have cut Social Security and move the Democratic Party toward a unified stance on the nation’s cornerstone retirement program.

"It is time we finally made Social Security more generous and increase the benefits so that today’s retirees and future generations get the dignified retirement that they have earned," Obama said in Elkhart, Indiana, during a speech in which he spoke against Republican economic policies

MORE:
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-06-01/obama-proposes-expanding-social-security-benefits-for-elderly

[thereismore]

1. I am flabbergasted. He has not been a champion of SS. Did he have a change of religion? nt

[magical thyme]

2. I'll be flabbergasted if and when he does more

than speechify on it.

This is a campaign speech, not a bully pulpit call to arms around a specific plan coming up for vote.

[Sherman A1]

4. Indeed

would have been nice if these words were spoken about 8 years ago and perhaps something even if it a small something was done. If I recall there was no COLA increase to SS this year, so I am wondering just what this is all about beyond nice campaign slogans.

[BuelahWitch]

6. Three years

Three years his administration has ditched the colas. Three years of a Democratic administration. First time in history of Social Security.
So yes, let's do more than speechify on it, Mr. President. Show us you mean it.

[Larkspur]

8. The Obama and HRC bots will just scream, "But the Republicans control Congress and...

there is nothing a Prez can do!"

That's the mentality of the upper 10%, whom the Clintons and Obamas have been catering to.

[closeupready]

3. Perhaps the message that citizens are fucking sick and tired is getting through.

This may be just a bone to hold voters at bay, but I appreciate the words of support for SS. K&R

[djean111]

5. Just a speech. If Hillary is the nominee, the most she will do is pretend to "look into it".

And if president - getting rid of Social Security is a Third Way objective.

Unless Obama knows that Bernie will be the nominee, his views on Social Security are the usual campaign blather. Pandering. perhaps looking to garnish his "legacy".

[Larkspur]

7. Sounds like Obama has been looking at HRC's low approval ratings and is worried

that if she wins the nomination with those low approval ratings, his legacy could still be in jeopardy. He looks to be trying to help motivate the Democratic base, especially Democratic leaning independents.

With HRC's low approval ratings and penchant for making them worse, she could be a one term wonder should she prevail this July and November.