DAY 20 AFTER PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES
SOCIAL SECURITY PROPOSAL;
DISSENSION IN THE RANKS OF
"THE PARTY OF NO" OVER SOCIAL SECURITY
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD): "At Some Point In Time, I Think, We Are Going To Offer Alternatives." (Amy Fagan, "Defeat Bush Plan First, Pelosi Says," The Washington Times, 5/18/05)
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL): "There Appears To Be A Difference In Strategy In How To Move Forward, Both In Leadership And In The Caucus." (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05)
Anonymous Democrat Congressman: "It Makes Sense To Offer Something." (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05)
Democrat Congressman On Background: "Even My Pastor Said The Other Day, 'That's Fine, But Where's The Democrats' Plan.'" (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05)
Today, Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL) Is Holding A Press Conference With Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) To Discuss Their Plan To Strengthen Social Security. (The Washington Daybook, 5/18/05)
DEMOCRAT FORECAST ON SOCIAL SECURITY:
STILL DREARY
Democrat Leadership Is Waiting To "See The Whites Of Their Eyes":
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): "Overwhelmingly, Our Members Understand The Unity That We Have ..." (Amy Fagan, "Defeat Bush Plan First, Pelosi Says," The Washington Times, 5/18/05)
· "According To Numerous Aides" Pelosi's Strategy Is To Wait Until "We See The Whites Of Their Eyes' Before Offering A Democratic Alternative." "Democratic leadership aides were roundly critical of Wexler's timing, saying it clashed with Pelosi's strategy of waiting until 'we see the whites of their eyes' before offering a Democratic alternative, according to numerous aides." (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05)
"Attempting To Grease The Financial Machinery For Americans United, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Have Recently Stepped Up Their Outreach To Donors." (Chris Cillizza, "Social Security Draws Few Big Donors," Roll Call, 5/17/05)
Democrat Leadership Aide: "Why Would We Put Something Out For [President Bush] To Take Shots At?" (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05)
"A Senior Democratic Lawmaker Said Wexler's Proposal 'Took Him By Surprise' And Would Not Be Well-Received In The Caucus." (Hans Nichols, "Wexler's Social Security Plan Has Some Dems Complaining," The Hill, 5/18/05) |
