Media "Private account" watch, Feb 1

I thought by now we'd see an end to the term "private account" in the media, seeing as how it's fallen out of favor with the White House, but clearly some in the media just aren't buying it.

For instance, this article from the AP uses "private accounts" twice, and points out that GOP house members are running scared:

In the House, where every seat is up for election every two years, Republican leaders want the president to present a specific plan and work to sell it to the country before pressing Congress to vote.

House Republicans don't want to be pinned down for any of this mess that Bush has created. They can march for the President, but they don't want to help him fight.

This article on the upcoming battle forecasts close to 100 million in spending by both sides and a few private accounts as well.

And keep you ears perked for this moment in tomorrow's State of the Union address:

The [unnamed senior] official indicated that Bush would be more forthcoming about the need to reduce benefits for future retirees to bridge the gap between payroll tax collections and payouts promised under current law, as well as to offset the cost of private accounts.

This article, fraught with "private accounts" asks if Bush has earned more capital from the Iraqi vote that he can spend on the upcoming battles. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin provides an answer:

"I think the president will speak about this at length and we will be standing repeatedly to acknowledge the Iraqi people and their fortitude," said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "But if you're asking if the Iraqi election makes it more likely that we will privatize Social Security, the answer is no."

Finally, in the New York Times we see an article with privatization written all over it, and nary a "personal" to be found. We also hear this confession from Senate Leader Bill Frist:

"I've got 750 days left, and in those 750 days I've got an agenda that can be historic, working with this president and with 55 Republican senators, and to accomplish that, every day that goes by is a day lost."

Historic. Not helpful, beneficial, or even a good for America. Just historic. Nice to see he has his priorities straight.