http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/paul-ryan-defends-social-security-privatization.php?ref=fpblg
Again, I think this is the under-reported story of the debate. Paul Ryan came out and argued for a form of Social Security privatization.
This is the issue - in a climate generally more favorable for conservatives - that effectively ended the Bush Administration's domestic effectiveness. In about a 6 month span after winning re-election, we had Terri Schaivo, Social Security privatization and Katrina. Bush never recovered from that.
If you combine Ryan's response on abortion and ANY subsequent focus on social issues in the coming town hall debate with Ryan's Social Security gambit, you are creating 2/3rds of the issues that neutered the Bush Presidency, at least domestically.
This is a HUGE opening. And spare me the "don't demagogue Social Security, because it must be fixed" nonsense. Social Security is not a terribly tough fix.
Privatization however is a huge risk and fiscally unsustainable. You can't divert young people's contributions in a 401K type vehicle and still make all your payments to existing seniors.
This can throw a wedge into the senior vote. I think Florida will be VERY close, and I think this Social Security opening needs to be hammered home.
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