PAUL BEGALA JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION I POSED

[Samantha]

in a thread here a couple of days ago.

When interviewed by Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), who asked where should Obama "go" next, Begala responded he would like to see Obama go after McCain wanting to privatize Social Security. With the recent events on Wall Street, had Bush* been successful in privatizing Social Security during his second term, we could today be looking at approximately one-fourth of those funds having disappeared, depending on with what institutions it had been invested.

Can you believe that?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7089473&mesg_id=7089473

I hope to wake up tomorrow morning and see Begala's conversation in an ad playing in Florida. That would break the tie down there!

Your thoughts?

Sam

[polichick]

1. Doesn't Obama already have a social security ad?

[EV_Ares]

4. Yes, they showed the social security ad today on CNN, it was playing in

Michigan, not sure where else.

[Samantha]

5. He just started running one (today?) but it does not ask that

question!

[Bozita]

17. It ran on Nightline last night ... right after the lead story on the market meltdown

A VERY effective ad placement!

[billyoc]

2. It's a great idea! Who wants to see their retirement spinning around on a roulette wheel?

:hi:

[ErinBerin84]

3. I like Paul Begala.

I hate having to watch CNN...I wish that he would just jump ship to MSNBC, so he could hang out with Rachel and Gene and smack Pat around with them (I mean, go on MSNBC other than for just his book media tour).

[cynatnite]

14. His book 'Third Term' is excellent...

I like him, too. He's got a fabulous sense of humor.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. His ad...

Run time: 00:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV9GZUtCgPc
__________________

[Eric J in MN]

8. thanks.NT

NT

[Samantha]

10. That is a great ad and it is the one I saw

I would love to see the point made that one-fourth of the Social Security funds might have disappeared this week with the financial crisis on Wall Street. That was exactly my question (the first one) in the thread I linked to above.

Thanks for your response (and the link). I think it would be a REAL EYE-OPENER for the average American to hear Paul Begala's precise estimate. That's a show-stopper - one-fourth perhaps down the drain.

Social Security is the only thing that stands between some Americans and literal poverty. The ad does suggest McCain wants to cut benefits, but I think the loss in the overall value of the Social Security pot in light of the crisis unraveling this week is a much stronger point.

Sam

[MichDem10]

13. Get this ad on the air in FLORIDA RIGHT NOW!!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

18. I'm shocked that this wasn't first targeted in Florida

What is the Obama campaign thinking?

[Samantha]

20. I have been asking that question too

It is a no-brainer, isn't it?

[CoffeeCat]

7. Awesome...Paul Begala...

...is lifting your lines! :applause:

I swear, that Andrew Sullivan stole one of my lines during the primary! :)

[Samantha]

11. HE ANSWERED MY EXACT QUESTION

Check out the link!

Sam

PS And I thrilled to have an answer. I would like all Americans to know the answer, especially the seniors in Florida planning to vote for McCain.

[CoffeeCat]

26. Kudos to you for...

...thinking of and asking that very astute question. Most excellent!

I also agree that this would be an excellent ad to run in Florida. An entire campaign
around the issue of privatizing Soc Sec--and what that would have meant for people--could
really be effective.

Major props to you! :applause:

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. They have mentioned it as others did .... I expect a strong speech with Biden

or Obama taking this on. The markets opened up this line of attack

[Samantha]

12. Up until now that issue has gotten "token" mention

The mere thought that perhaps one-fourth of the Social Security funds could have disappeared had Bush* successfully gotten the privatization plan passed (which McCain advocates) is a startling figure. If that precise point is driven home, I have a difficult time seeing seniors pulling the lever for McCain. And that is all I am saying, hammer, hammer, hammer that point home in Florida and other states (like Arizona!) where many seniors have retired and count on their Social Security benefits. Present the possibility that had McCain's plan been enacted, one-fourth of those funds might today be gone. One-fourth.

Sam

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. I love how this fight is going right now

if he would brought this up before the market crash
it would have harmed him. He didn't play it then and now
it can be a Bolo Punch


A bolo punch is a flashy wide sweeping uppercut that is more about showboating than power. The bolo punch might not even be thrown at all but rather used to distract the opponent so you can hit them with your other hand.

[Samantha]

19. I love the sporting analogy

The point I am trying to make (unsuccessfully) is that it would be ever so dramatic in light of this week's events if Obama could somehow prove Begala's estimate. I am not saying simply focus on Social Security and the privatization plan; I am saying focus on the possible consequences of that privatization should Bush* have or McCain in the future ram it through, or if you prefer throw a Bolo Punch at midnight and ram privatization through while everyone is sleeping.

One-fourth of the pot could have disappeared this week had Bush* been successful. That is frightening.

[Ichingcarpenter]

21. I know but to play your cards too early without loading the pot

is also foolish. I expect the card to be played this week.

Yes the whole Reagan bullshit economics is going down after this.

[Samantha]

24. I have been wondering about that too

Was the keeping the Social Security powder dry until the end was near. That would be pretty effective.

Sam

PS Thanks for your response.

[Ichingcarpenter]

27. What I saw today from Obama and Biden is that the

tactics are just priceless and working. The McCain campaign is reacting in the
ropes and now have gone out to center of the ring after being called
out by the ref for illegal blows and acting like chickens.

Now lets have some press conferences by the press by these chickens

[Samantha]

28. Barack Obama is to the political world what Muhammad Ali

is to the boxing world.

Both have roped many a dope. I guess McCain has neglected to study his boxing history.

Sam

PS Please take a look if you ever have a moment:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6005693

[Ichingcarpenter]

29. I nominated that thread back then

that's why I commented how I did.

[Samantha]

30. I have been here since 2001 and that is one of the threads

I have submitted I like the best. It revolves around two people I greatly admire. And thank you for your comments.

Sam

[Larkspur]

15. I mentioned a couple days ago that Obama needs a "Harry and Louise" type ad

about Social Security and how thankful to god and Dems we are that Bush and McCain failed to privatize it.

[Samantha]

22. That would be extremely effective

Could Harry possibly mention to Louise that we could have lost as much as one-fourth of the pot had Wall Street been given the green light to invest it, or even better, could Louise tell Harry that!

I am serious, I think the Harry and Louise concept coupled with the one-fourth fact is a hell of an ad. Do we know any ad-makers here at DU that could put this together, and do you want to volunteer two DU'ers to play the roles of Harry and Louise? Got any bodies in mind?

Sam

[Larkspur]

32. Thanks for the compliment

I'm not a video person. I'm an aspiring fantasy adventure novelist and a software engineer, so no I couldn't help with the ad.

I do like the facts you added. Definitely need them in the ad too.

[csziggy]

23. Yes, and he could use the Florida State Employees Pension Fund as an example

It wasn't bad enough they lost millions in the Enron collapse, they've now lost millions more in the Lehman collapse.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5553/is_200112/ai_n21569126
http://www.afscmefl.org/enron.html

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/16/na-florida-investments-affected-by-collapse-of-leh/

[Samantha]

25. What a wonderful point

Social Security was intended by FDR to be an insurance policy against poverty to end "America's Shame." America's shame was that many, many seniors in this Country were literally starving to death in their golden years. Social Security was never intended to be an investment vehicle.

I think we see now that it is entirely possible to see America's former shame come into play in this Country once again (if it is not here already) if the Republicans eliminate the benefits programs, which has always been their goal. We constantly hear that half of our government's expenses are directed toward "entitlements." We never hear what portion of our expenses directed toward the war in Iraq erode our financial standing because those expenses are "off budget." Ten billion dollars monthly ... off budget - but our entitlement programs are breaking the bank. Right.

Sam

[Patsy Stone]

31. One played here in Miami tonight

during Countdown. It was all about McCain wanting to privatize SS. Listed three votes for privatization, tied it to Wall St. crash and Bush's policies.

Quite good.

[Samantha]

40. Just posted below -- I think this issue will turn Florida Barack's way

Hi Patsy, great to hear from you on this. As I just finished saying below, Florida does owe us Democrats and I believe it will deliver in November. The economic events of this week have put this issue squarely in front of the American people. It is the elephant in the room for John McCain, and he cannot run away from his recent endorsement of pursuing the privatization of Social Security. If a politician could eat his words, I am sure McCain would be choking on them now, in his haste to wipe his verbal slate clean. Those very words may cost him this election.

Thank you for your response.

Sam

[BrklynLiberal]

33. Excellent. I also was wondering how this issue would be played out now that the

Stock Market and Financial Institutions are going down the toilet.

It should definitely be brought up..loud and clar.
I remember all these schmucks saying "I want to control my own money!! Why should I let the government take it? I'll invest it myself."

[Samantha]

34. Don't you think this could be a show-stopper for McCain in

Florida and Michigan if properly highlighted. One-fourth of the Social Security funds lost in a Wall Street meltdown. Picture that. That's might possibly be the case today if Bush* had succeeded in his number one priority during his second term. And McCain will pick up where Bush* left off.

I do genuinely feel this is a frightening scenario, and I think the public at large will react the same if the issue is put under a microscope and it is forced to focus on it. And that is what I am hoping the Obama camp does.

Thank you for your response.

Sam

[BrklynLiberal]

38. I agree with you 100%..and even if there is a bounce-back, it demonstrates what COULD happen

if one is allowed to invest in the stockmarket for one's for retirement.

The only ones who would benefit from that scenario are stockbrokers...which, of course is exactly why BushCo and his minions are all for it.

[Samantha]

39. I live in the suburbs of DC and for the last 30 years

We have chronically heard Wall Street wanted to get its hands on all the Social Security funds the government collects monthly. That issue has surfaced to the overall public domain in recent years, but it has been bubbling a lot longer.

I think today, Friday, the point has truly been driven home because I have heard it openly discussed on the MSM. While many of us political junkies seemed to have been focused on this issue since it has been a matter of political controversy, it seems NOW the public eyes are wide open.

Above I saw a poster's remark she saw an ad in Florida on this subject which was very effective. I think it is entirely possible this issue will swing that important state Barack's way in November. And would not that be great? After all, Florida does owe us, right?

Thank you so much for your response.

Sam

[Earth Bound Misfit]

35. K & R!

Kudos to you, Sam

Thank You:patriot: :kick:

[King Coal]

36. "Tie", or the perception of such?

[Samantha]

41. I have never truly believed more voters in Florida favor McCain

But I do realize that Florida still has a Republican governor and since 2000, I have never underestimated the "voting" advantage in that.... I am one of those who truly feel Gore won Florida in 2000, and I also remember the slate sent to the Electoral College was Republican. This issue, however, may make the difference in the numbers so huge for Obama in November, the Republicans will have a very difficult time stealing it beneath the radar.

Sam

[Dawgs]

37. I've been saying that for weeks.

Obama can win Florida if he focuses all of his efforts on Social Security and McCain's opposition to the GI Bill.

[Samantha]

42. YES HE CAN

And add one more factor into that mix, the number of Jewish votes the State contains. Once the bizarre elements of Sarah Palin's church become more well known within the general public -- and that started tonight, I believe -- McCain will lose that voting block as well. The appalling statement from the visiting pastor (from Jews for Jesus)to Sarah Palin's church will swing many Jewish voters away from McCain. And rightfully so.

Thank you for your response.

Sam