Santorum squirming? Personal account of SSI forum

This is from the blog MyDD, link here: www.mydd.com/story/2005/2/22/173612/540

Social Security Compromise Watch
by Chris Bowers

(snip)

Second, I'd like to talk a little about the Santorum Social security event that I attended today. It was quite eventful and well attended, although I am pretty sure it was well attended because around six or seven different activist organizations had turned out in force. Outside the hall before the event, Philly DFA began chanting "Hey-hey, ho-ho, Riock Santorum has got to go!" Local college Republicans, who are just about the only Republicans in West Philly, responded with a chant that beautifully was captured live by CNN: "hey-hey, ho-ho, Social Security has got to go!" I love it when the other side does your campaigning for you!

Inside the hall, the biggest applause line of the event was generated early on when Santorum asked a rhetorical question about demographics and funding: "what happens in 2008?" Before he could answer his own question, someone shouted "Bush leaves office," and the room went wild. A little while later, less than two minutes apart, a couple of LaRouche people made some noise and comments about Pinochet, before they were forcibly removed. I think every Democratic activist in the room turned their eyes to the floor when this happened. Maybe we should fund a Republican LaRouche.

For a while, and especially during the question and answer session, the room was choked with facts and figures from both sides as many Democrats in attendance were given the microphone. I was actually able to ask the final question. Going into the event I had planned to ask Santorum about the slime attack on the AARP in the hopes it wold get some press coverage, but something he said during the presentation gave me an idea for an even better question. He claimed that some Senate Democrats agreed with Bush's proposal, so I went up and asked him to name names. He backed down and said that none of them support it now because it has become so politicized, which is a very hypocritical comment to make when you are on a campaign tour of your own.

However, after he backed down, he said that because no Democrats supported the plan, it would be necessary to find a compromise plan. Not only was it amazing to have Santorum literally say to my face that Bush's plan wasn't going to pass, but it was even more interesting for him to admit that a compromise was actively being sought. Considering this, I was particularly stunned to see this story hit the wires only a few minutes ago. It is about a "compromise" plan proposed by Paul O'Neil and openly supported by Harold Ford, Kent Conrad and, you guessed it, Rick Santorum:

Money :: Tue Feb 22nd, 2005 at 05:36:11 PM EST

I love it he blatantly said compromise was being forced upon them by the Democrats.

Dems are in a position of awesome power on this, and shouldn't give one inch. The public hates the idea of screwing with SS, so not only is the pubic already on our side on this, they are out of reach of the right. bush has no where to go with this. We Dems control this issue, and we can use it to make those bastards squirm. And that's what we should do, imho. NO compromise on this.

What happens in 2008? Bush leaves! - LOL!

Nice happy read. Thanks.

:D

on edit - I think GD would enjoy reading your post.

ad.

" Local college Republicans, who are just about the only Republicans in West Philly, responded with a chant that beautifully was captured live by CNN: "hey-hey, ho-ho, Social Security has got to go!"

I suspect that whatever compromise they try for will be what they really wanted all along. It's an old trick, propose something that no one will find acceptable, then offer what you really want as a "compromise"

The fact that Santorum was willing to speak so openly about compromise could be evidence that this is what they're doing.

She actually mentioned the "hey hey/ho ho/Soc. Security's got to go" chant on last Friday's show.

Doesn't make up for all the intense WH ass-kissing she's been doing in recent months, but it was appreciated.

But I digress. Glad to hear of the flack Santorum's facing.