DCCC: Ferguson Should Come Clean on SS Privatization

For Immediate Release 3 March 2005

Rep. Ferguson Hosts President Bush in NJ… Will He Finally Come Clean on Social Security Privatization?

(Washington, D.C.) – President Bush visits New Jersey on Friday to attempt to sell his Social Security privatization plan and his host, GOP Rep. Mike Ferguson, is in the hot seat.

Rep. Ferguson has had multiple positions on Social Security privatization for years (see below). Now, Rep. Ferguson has invited President Bush to campaign for privatization in his own district, but is attempting to hide his own position on the issue. He told the Asbury Park Press this week that he was “open to conversation on personal accounts,” but wouldn’t take a stand on that fundamental issue:

“Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-Warren Township, said he was ‘delighted and honored’ that the president accepted his invitation to come to his district, which includes Westfield. But he was cautious about overhauling Social Security. ‘We clearly need to improve the system in the long term for younger workers. I am open to a conversation on personal accounts in that context,’ Ferguson said.”

"Rep. Mike Ferguson has at least three different positions on the Social Security privatization over the past five years," said DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (IL). "It’s time for Mike Ferguson to stand up and be counted. Ferguson invited President Bush to New Jersey to pitch his plan to privatize Social Security and cut benefits, and his constituents now deserve to know where he stands on that plan.”

More: http://www.politicsnj.com/dccc030305.htm