Try this on for size: call them "Clinton Accounts"

December 7, 1998

Bill Clinton can have a legacy that doesn't include the word "Lewinsky," but it'll require more than a casual approach to the most pressing issue of the day. With the White House conference on Social Security set to begin tomorrow, here are a few thoughts from Michael Tanner, director of Cato's Project on Social Security Privatization:

"Social Security offers President Clinton an important opportunity to secure a legacy beyond Monica Lewinsky. But it'll require bold action. Mr. Clinton will never get a mention in the history books as 'the man who adjusted the COLA formula.' But he will secure his place in the history books if he becomes the president who gave Americans control over their retirement income by creating individually owned, privately invested Social Security accounts."

"Not only does the president need this sort of legacy, but there's a factor that could help him get it: Republicans in Congress are now looking for an issue - any issue - to show that they can accomplish something other than investigating the president. No issue would accomplish this better than Social Security reform. Moreover, transforming Social Security into a saving and investment based system is an approach that can unite all factions of the party. Moderates, economic conservatives, and social conservatives are all attracted to Social Security privatization."

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