President Extends 60-Day Effort to Save Social Security

See this Bloomberg story about the extension of Bush's 60 Cities in 60 Days Tour, and consider:

• Bush began his tour on March 4;
• Since then public disapproval of his handling of Social Security has increased from 56% to 64%;
• That's an 8-point swing that has produced a 2-1 majority in favor of preserving Social Security;
• His current public approval rating stands at 47%.

Put the pieces together, and the inference is obvious: Not satisfied with having produced a 64-31 majority in favor of preserving Social Security and solidified the Democratic caucus in opposition to his reform plans, the President is determined to drive up the numbers even more - as he puts it, "to be relentless on this subject" - until no GOP Senator will dare to even think about privatization, much less talk about it in a public forum. Thus will he safeguard the legacy of Social Security for generations to come.

Anyone who cares about Social Security has to be grateful for what the President has already accomplished and, even more, for his determination to see it through to the finish - ultimately forging a nation-wide consensus stronger than we ever would have dreamed of a mere two months ago.

Full polling data available from the Washington Post.