The Third Rail Fails Again

November 28, 2001

John Boozman (R-AR) has become the latest candidate to demonstrate that Social Security is no longer the “Third Rail” of American politics, winning a special election to fill the Arkansas seat vacated by Asa Hutchinson. Boozman won despite attacks on his support for allowing private investment of a portion of Social Security payroll taxes. Boozman’s opponent, Mike Hathorn, called privatization “risky” and threatened seniors with drastic benefit cuts. Boozman’s position was hardly a model of clarity—he called for allowing workers to invest one or two percent of payroll in long-term treasury notes--but his victory is further proof that candidates can support Social Security privatization and win.

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