Bush tries to weasel out of using "Privatization" to describe S.S. plan

[wicket]

LOL, now this is TOO funny. What a dope!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12570-2005Jan15_3.html

The Post: Will you talk to Senate Democrats about your privatization plan?

THE PRESIDENT: You mean, the personal savings accounts?

The Post: Yes, exactly. Scott has been --

THE PRESIDENT: We don't want to be editorializing, at least in the questions.

The Post: You used partial privatization yourself last year, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes?

The Post: Yes, three times in one sentence. We had to figure this out, because we're in an argument with the RNC about how we should actually word this. Mike Allen, the industrious Mike Allen, found it.

THE PRESIDENT: Allen did what now?

The Post: You used partial privatization.

THE PRESIDENT: I did, personally?

The Post: Right.

THE PRESIDENT: When?

The Post: To describe it.

THE PRESIDENT: When, when was it?

The Post: Mike said it was right around the election.

THE PRESIDENT: Seriously?

The Post: It was right around the election. We'll send it over.

THE PRESIDENT: I'm surprised. Maybe I did. It's amazing what happens when you're tired. Anyway, your question was? I'm sorry for interrupting.

OMG!!!!!!

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Since when does the Press have to negotiate with the RNC over

language in their articles?

[Lorien]

3. Good point

we should be asking the stenograph..er, "journalists" if they are a.) on the Whitehouse payroll and B.) getting their language from the RNC.

[wicket]

4. damn that liberal media!!!

:puke:

[norml]

2. Privatization is Oldspeak. Personal Savings Accounts is Newspeak.

And Dubya says that it is double plus good!

[followthemoney]

20. Bush declares this republic is now to be called a reprivate

Because he doesn't have to explain anything to anybody.

[Cocoa]

5. kudos to that reporter

this will be handy to whip out whenever some RWer tries to play semantics with this issue.

[DistressedAmerican]

6. I Hate Weasels!

[wicket]

7. kick

:kick:

[marc_the_dem]

8. Henry Rollins Band

W should do a remake of the Rollins Band song - Liar....

[Synnical]

9. Yeah, but that's the transcript, not what was in print edition

Here's the article that was written about the interview. This portion cited above is not mentioned.

This is the only mention of SS:

Q:The prospect of cutting Social Security disability or survivor benefits

A: Well, as I said, we have no plans for cutting benefits.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12523-2005Jan15.html

[wicket]

10. LAME!

:grr:

[Synnical]

12. I hope that comment

Is directed at the Washington Post and not me??

[wicket]

14. I absolutely meant the Post, not you

Sorry for any confusion!

[Synnical]

16. Thanks, but there is so much more

The Post: Why do you think bin Laden has not been caught?

THE PRESIDENT: Because he's hiding.

The Post: Our allies have done all they can do to help catch him?

THE PRESIDENT: We're on the hunt.

The Post: Do you think others are on the hunt, too? Are you happy, content with what other countries are doing in that hunt?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

The Post: Anyone you're not happy with? (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Look, bin Laden is elusive, and he is in a remote part of the world. And we are -- I am -- I can't think of anybody in the world who is our ally who isn't willing to do what is necessary to try to find him. And so I am pleased about the hunt, and I am pleased that he's isolated. I will be more pleased when he's brought to justice, and I think he will be.

[Synnical]

17. Mr President

THE PRESIDENT: I'm surprised. Maybe I did. It's amazing what happens when you're tired. Anyway, your question was? I'm sorry for interrupting.

The Post: So have you talked to Senate Democrats about this?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I have talked to Senate Democrats, and I will continue to talk to Senate Democrats. And I'll continue --

The Post: Did you --

THE PRESIDENT: We had a meeting with -- I think before Christmas we had the leadership in, didn't we?

MS. DEVENISH : That was Republicans.

MR. McCLELLAN: For Social Security?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

MR. McCLELLAN: The bipartisan meeting at the end of last year, toward the end of last year.

THE PRESIDENT: And before we went on the Christmas break?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: It was right after, I think Harry -- Harry Reid was there, I know for certain. I'm trying to remember -- I can't remember all who were there. But, yes, I have, and will continue to do so, and continue to speak to the people.

[Synnical]

18. DC Costs of the Coronation

The Post: It's good, short is good. Why should D.C., which is a top terrorist threat, why should they have to spend $12 million from their budget -- from their homeland security budget they get from the federal government -- to provide security for the inauguration?

THE PRESIDENT: The inauguration is a high-profile event, like a lot of other events that, unfortunately, in the world in which we live, could be an attractive target for terrorists. And by providing security, hopefully that will provide comfort to people who are coming from all around the country to come and stay in the hotels in Washington and to be able to watch the different festivities in Washington and eat the food in Washington. We've got people coming from all around the country, and I think it provides them great comfort to know that all levels of government are working closely to make this event as secure as possible.

[Synnical]

19. More from the WP transcript

The Post: Only two-thirds of the beneficiaries of Social Security, as you know, are retired people. The rest are disabled and people collecting survivor's benefits. Do you think that the rising costs of disability and survivor's insurance is causing the overall Social Security problem, and can you promise that the benefits will not be touched under your reform plan?

THE PRESIDENT: We will look at all aspects of Social Security, of course, but the main focus I have been on, focusing on -- the main issue I have been focusing on is the retirement system aspect of Social Security, because it is a pay-as-you-go system. The number of payers is declining quite rapidly relative to the number of retirees. And that, thus far, has been our focus, because that is the part where the Congress needs to focus.

And to answer the disability insurance, we have no plans of cutting benefits at all for people with disabilities.

The Post: So they'll definitely remain untouched?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I said, we have no plans for cutting benefits.

[Vinca]

11. Let's be REALLY honest, Georgie boy.

It's neither privatization or a "personal savings account." It's a windfall for Wall Street brokers and the luck of the draw for the average American worker. They may take their $1,000 and put it in their "personal savings account" and make a fews bucks, or, another "Enronesque" moment might occur and they'd be back to zip. "Privatization" is fine . . . IN ADDITION TO SOCIAL SECURITY. Leave Grandma's money alone, you miserable chimp.

[rodeodance]

13. you are right------What a dupus!!

[Cha]

15. Did anyone see "Silver City"?..

Chris Cooper did such a good job of acting like a bush weasle/chimp.

I could watch Chris but I can't watch bush.