In Heartland, a Social Security Battlefield

[leftchick]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29-2005Feb4.html

Pannett is a foot soldier in what promises to be the most contentious domestic policy fight since welfare was restructured. Dispatched by the left-leaning Campaign for America's Future, he helped muster a hardy band of protesters to provide a counterpoint to Bush's pitch Friday morning at the Qwest Center here.


"This certainly is an issue that won't be conceded," Pannett said between events. "I'm just out here building an ad hoc organization."

Nebraska, one of the reddest of the red states, is an important state in the calculations of the White House and its opponents alike. A state that backed Bush in November by 2 to 1, it has a Democratic senator the Republicans consider vulnerable to persuasion. Four other states and dozens of congressional districts are also being targeted by the White House, Democrats and interest groups engaged in the Social Security debate.

<snip>

Alone among 44 Democratic senators, Nelson declined to sign a letter this week objecting to Social Security changes that would increase the federal deficit. And alone among seven Democratic senators targeted during Bush's two-day campaign trip, Nelson asked that the senior citizens' lobby AARP not publish its latest ad -- "Thank you, Senator, for protecting Social Security" -- in his home state's papers, said the AARP's policy director, John Rother.

[sunnystarr]

1. Looks like Nelson needs to be reminded that he's a Dem.

Even though he's in red state that doesn't mean the majority if the people are ready to privatize Social Security. I truly believe the ones that now support *'s plan don't know the facts yet. Once they do they wouldn't support privatization. It would behoove Nelson to give his constituents the facts and take a stand against the * plan.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. What

is the point of Nelson even being in the senate if he isn't going to stand for a dem principal as universal as social security? They better talk that rat bastard into opposing Bush.

[napi21]

2. You folks need to deluge Nelson with calls and emails!

I'm sure he's under a lot of pressure from the Pubs in Ne, and he needs to know he has constituents who want him to vote against this new plan. I live in Ga. and I've already written 3 emails to my 2 Pub Senators and my Pub Representative. I know my state is RED, probably every much as yours, but I'm also hoping many Pubs here won't want this insane plan and write to him too!!!

[stray cat]

4. We need to deluge the republican senators and media

We can't win this battle by pressuring the democrats alone. Most of them are already on our side. We need to bring the battle to the republican senators and media as well. The mainstream media is already buying into the Bush talking points such as "saving social security". We need to try to reframe the debate in the media. Bush wants to dismantle social security to pay for his tax cuts. Privitization benefits Wall Street not working Americans. etc.

[GetTheRightVote]

5. What is Ben Nelson, a repub in dem clothing or what ?

SS is a democratic value not to be touched by repubs who wish to destory it. Time to come down on this senator.

:kick:

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

[w4rma]

7. The AARP should run the ad anyway. Nelson is cutting his own throat

with these self-destructive tactics. He should be happy for all the help he can get. And Dems will be more than happy to help him, but we can't help him if he pulls stunts like this.