Social Security Ads Trip Up Both Democrats and Republicans

September 20, 2002

According to a recent New York Times article, both Democrats and Republicans have been forced to "pull" ads focusing on Social Security "privatization." In West Virginia several TV stations have refused to run ads that attack Republican incumbent Shelley Moore Capito for advocating the privatization of Social Security. The ads link Capito to an alleged vote on the privatization of Social Security: "the advertisement, paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says that 'when Capito had a chance to help protect Social Security from privatization, she voted no.'" In Kansas, however, Republicans decided to remove an ad from the a radio which "sought to appeal to black voters by saying that they are paying 'reverse reparations' to white people by reaping fewer benefits under Social Security."

The Associated Press's David Espo also comments on the controversy that has arisen over the word 'privatization' in the midterm election race involving Capito. Clearly, the focus of the debate is over the definition of privatization rather than the structure of policy proposals to alter the current system. The DCCC ad was a return on Capito's ad: "I'll fight to protect Social Security, oppose privatization and make sure no one's benefits are in doubt."

Click here for a previous story on the 'privatization' vote and the Filner Amendment.

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