Dems Face Policy Battle Without Matsui

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - Stunned by the death of California Rep. Bob Matsui, Democrats head into the biggest legislative battle of President Bush (news - web sites)'s second term without their top Social Security (news - web sites) expert.

"I must admit that we never imagined we would have to go into a major debate on Social Security's future without him," said Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record) of New York, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.
...
Facing the bully pulpit of the White House and strengthened GOP control of Congress, Democrats are struggling to get out their opposition message. Their biggest challenge: trying to counter Bush's claims that the retirement system faces a financial crisis that demands an immediate overhaul.
Leading the charge was Matsui, the top Democrat on the House Social Security subcommittee, a position he chose in 1998 based on his seniority.

Rangel and California Rep. Pete Stark, senior Democrat on the health subcommittee, outranked Matsui. Neither is expected to take the Social Security slot.
Other possibilities, trailing Matsui by seniority, include Reps. Sander Levin of Michigan, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Jim McDermott of Washington.
...
Matsui's death is clearly a setback, politically and personally, for Democrats.
...
Bush on Monday praised Matsui's service of "distinction and integrity." "He was a principal advocate for the people of Northern California. And he will be deeply missed," Bush said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050103/ap_on_go_co/social_security

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I will not mention how "convenient" his death is for the Bush agenda..

and how many times in the past, a convenient death has occurred at a pivotal time in a Bush campaign.
Nope, no mention of some crazy, tinfoil hat/Silkwood kind of conspiracy theory coming from me.

[Mist]

3. Hell, that was my first thought , too. "How convenient!" n/t

[librechik]

2. "we never imagined...a major debate on SS without him"

Dems are such losers. Why don't we think ahead like the Pukkkes?

we used to be even BETTER at that than they are. Why are we so lame?

sorry, my rant today.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Does Gropenater Get To Appoint A reThug to Replace Him?

:grr:

The night of the long knives continues....