Social Security battle rages on

The Democrats sure are learning fast:

With the president on a road campaign to persuade Americans of the wisdom of his social security proposals, congressional Democrats have already fired a new warning shot.

In a letter, 44 Senate Democrats warn the president that the steps he has so far outlined to save social security will sharply increase the national debt, placing heavy burdens on future generations.

I believe Joe Lieberman sealed it with a kiss. Either way, unified Senate Democrats spell an end to the "privatization" plan before it even starts. As long as they stick together.

It is, in fact, the other side that shows signs of weakening, as House Republicans begin talk of pulling back in the battle for private accounts:

President Bush's Social Security proposals stirred fresh worries Thursday among Republicans and brought calls from some lawmakers to abandon the central idea of letting people divert part of their payroll taxes to private accounts.

"I've talked to some of my colleagues and they're panic-stricken," Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla.

This peaked some ears, I'm sure:

Two other House Republicans with years of expertise on Social Security said Bush's plan is politically dangerous. They suggested bolstering the program with money from general revenues rather than the payroll tax.

"I think politically it's the most salable. It's not going to scare anybody," said Florida Rep. Clay Shaw, who for six years was chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security. "It does preserve Social Security as it is today. If we're going to attract some Democrats, that's the way to go."

You mean, treat Social Security as just another government spending program? Then it will be solvent as long as we have a government. What a crazy idea that just might work.

Private accounts are looking pretty dead right now, regardless of the President's tour.