GOP's David Demonstrates How Not to Talk About Social Security Reform

September 13, 2002

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) address Social Security on NBC television's "Meet the Press," hosted by Tim Russert. While many congressional candidates are finding their legs on Social Security and effectively responding to attacks on reform, Davis – the head of the National Republican Campaign Committee – seemed unnecessarily defensive, ceding ground to opponents of reform incorporating personal accounts when there was little need to do so.

Mr. Russert: Is Social Security going to be a cutting issue for the Democrats?

Rep. Lowey: Oh, it sure will. In fact, I know Tom Davis has been telling all his candidates to run far away from it. You just look at Chris Chicola running against Jill Longconstin. He voted for privatization of Social Security. He's been denying it over and over again. In fact, across the country, Social Security privatization is a key issue, and I think it's going to be the referendum issue in this campaign. Wherever you go, the Republicans are either denying or trying to explain or trying to change the vocabulary. The Republican Party stands for privatization of Social Security. And, in fact, the chief economic advisor, Lawrence Lindsay, just about 10 days ago, talking to Bob Novak, said, "We should borrow $1 trillion to privatize Social Security," and then he was asked, "Are you ready to invest in the market?" And he said, "Are you kidding? It's too risky." So this will be the issue and the Democrats will win that debate on privatization because people know that Democrats want to protect and preserve Social Security.

Mr. Russert: Has the decline in the stock market made it more difficult for Republicans to defend their position?

Rep. Davis: Well, it's not a Republican position. Remember this came out of a commission headed by Senator Dan Moynihan, who's a senior Democrat from Nita's home state of New York. It's been embraced by a number of Democratic candidates-Earl Pomeroy in North Dakota-that supported these private accounts from time to time. And, Tim, there's nothing right now pending in Congress that sets up private accounts. This is something that comes out of a bipartisan commission that the president established and 205 Democrats voted to praise.

Mr. Russert: So wouldn't you...

Rep. Davis: So they are creating an issue that isn't there.

Mr. Russert: ...expect the president to push for private accounts for Social Security in the next two years?

Rep. Davis: I don't know if he will or not, but I will tell you this. We have a number of our members that are not going to support that. We have a number of Democrats who are going to support it, and it's not a party issue. And it's certainly not privatization. Senator Moynihan has been very clear that private accounts are certainly different than privatization-a term they use because it tests well with their pollsters.

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