The West and Social Security Policy Issues

If you look at Josh Marshall's list of the "The Fainthearted Faction" and the "The Conscience Caucus," you should notice a couple things. No Western Democrats (so far) are faint of heart, and several Western Republicans have consciences.

Actually, about half of the Fainthearts are from the South, which is of particular pleasure to me.

Anyway, for awhile I've been struggling with whether Democrats in the West have to act more like Republicans to win in the West. Apparently, as we can see from how the chips are falling over Social Security, Western Democrats feel safe defending the trust fund.

Its especially interesting that some Republicans out west feel the same way. Take this from Rep Denny Rehberg's house site:

...(Rehberg) is committed to keeping America’s promise to our senior citizens by preserving the Social Security and Medicare trust funds

UPDATE: More on the MT Republican from Josh Marshall:

Sure, he may have flown under the radar until now. But when asked about the president's phase-out plan back in mid-November, here's what he told the Great Falls Tribune ...

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, Montana's sole House member and a Republican, says he's a long way from feeling comfortable about "privatizing" or allowing "personal accounts" with Social Security funds, as suggested by the president.

"I haven't seen anything I can support yet," he says.

Not only is Rehberg suggesting he won't vote for phase-out, he's even using the demeaning 'privatizing' buzzword that even most national political reporters aren't allowed to use anymore. That's insubordination this president won't stand.

Emmett O'Connell | January 29, 2005 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: The West and Social Security Policy Issues

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