Media "Private Account" watch, day 2

The Bush administration is asking their plan to create privatized accounts with Social Security money be called by another name. Day 2 notes a few reporters still have yet to get the memo.

David Jackson of the Dallas Morning News, in an article on deficit projections:

The deficits re-emerged amid the tax cuts as well as war and recession. Budget estimates also do not take into account potential changes to the Social Security system, analysts said. Allowing recipients to invest some money in private accounts - as Bush wants to do - could entail massive transition costs.

Nedra Pickler, Associated Press Writer, in an article on attempts by Bush to ease tensions with black leaders:

President Bush told black leaders Tuesday that his plan to add private accounts to Social Security would benefit blacks since they tend to have shorter lives than some other Americans and end up paying in more than they get out.

First paragraph, too. She's off the White House xmas list. I'm still looking for an actual quote on this one, though, as the article hints that the President defied his own new war on words.
And finally, in an article on the general Social Security debate:

Bush wants to let younger workers put a portion of their Social Security taxes into private investment accounts in exchange for a reduction in future guaranteed benefits.

Also of interest in Frank Luntz's interview on Air America Radio. Listen here.
And afterward ask yourself if, as Luntz claims, it is taking a side to use the private account phrasing the White House doesn't want you to, then wouldn't it also be taking a side to use the phrasing the White House does want you to?

Meanwhile Josh Marshall notes the latest New York Time article, and the Washington Post reports that Bush is pushing Senate Republicans for a quick vote on his proposal which includes - get this - "the addition of individual stock and bond accounts for younger workers."

In other words, private accounts. Stay tuned.

*UPDATE* Reuters falls prey:

But so far the president has offered only general principles that eschew tax increases and demand that workers be allowed to invest a portion of their Social Security payroll tax contributions in personal stock and bond accounts.

Darn right wing media.

*UPDATE* The Denver Post, on it's own, in an editorial:

Advocates of radical reform are making up their own math in their campaign to partly privatize Social Security. There's a storm ahead, but not the iceberg President Bush's advisers claim.

I think that counts, don't you?

*UPDATE, THREE* Josh Marshall has eeriely followed the same timeline as mine (scroll from there). Great minds think alike, I guess.