Sen. Shelby (R-Ala.) apparently abandons Bush on SS

[quaoar]

Bush is coming to Montgomery on March 10 to sell his plan to loot and pillage Social Security. He is coming because Sen. Richard Shelby and GOP Rep. Mike Rogers are putting distance between Bush and themselves on this one. If Bush feels the need to travel to Alabama to put pressure on the state's delegation to support him, he's in serious, serious trouble.

Woo hoo!

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/storyV5_0301_BUSH.htm?SITE=ALMON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

This is from Shelby's website:

Although President Bush has outlined a broad proposal for personal retirement accounts, the debate surrounding Social Security reform will continue to evolve, and we must remember that the devil is in the details. Reform of Social Security is a complex issue and I believe that we must heed the advice of Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan to proceed in a 'cautious and gradual way.' While I support the underlying principle of personal retirement accounts, I am skeptical of any plan that places a significant burden on future generations and could endanger the economic well-being of our country.

I believe significant reforms to a program as large and critically important as Social Security must be cautious and deliberative, and I intend to take such an approach as Congress debates this matter.

http://shelby.senate.gov/legislation/SocialSecurity_Reform.cfm

[Dhalgren]

1. Shelby was a Democrat who turned coats in the 90s.

He probably has some populist left in him, but not much. He is probably a little left of Zell Miller and maybe some other Democrats...

[PurityOfEssence]

3. He also knows full well the criminal obstruction of the 9-11 probes and

the lies that got us into Iraq.

Maybe he smells the stench of history looming in front of him, with himself being one of the handmaidens of tyranny...

[Dhalgren]

4. Absolutely!

It would be bad enough for life-long Republicans to have to explain their actions to history, but for a turncoat, traitor to have to come to grips with his "reasoned" betrayal - that would be even worse. It has struck me several times over the past few years that ole Dick seems to regret his abandonment of the party he supported for almost 40 years - but let him swing in the breeze, as far as I'm concerned.

[quaoar]

5. He does seem to have at least a few regrets

He voted no on the perjury charge in the impeachment trial. And last year when he was accused of leaking classified info he went out and hired one of Clinton's old lawyers.

[LizW]

9. I'm not sure it's regrets

I think Shelby is extremely adept at knowing how things are coming down and making sure he's on the winning side. I don't think there is anyone he's not willing to stab in the back if necessary.

That said, if Shelby is hanging Bush out on Social Security, it's a very, very good sign. It means the thing is dead and the rats are leaving the sinking ship.

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

2. It is interesting that...

Bush's big push is being rejected *after* his first term and Clinton's big rejection occurred before people knew him much. Speaks volumes on the integrity issue...

edited for grammar!

[napi21]

6. More importantly, Frist seems to be giving up too.

I received an email this morning with headlines from a major newspaper stating that Frist doesn't think anything can be done with the SS issue this year. Although it's not a direct refusal, he sure is admitting that they couldn't get enough Pub votes to even discuss this, at least until 2006 or longer.

There's another thread here on Du that has clips from this and other articles citing Frist's position.

[yellowcanine]

7. Is Shelby up for reelection in 06? That would explain this. I have truly

become a cynic. Why is that, I wonder? Lies, lies, and more lies may have had something to do with it.

[quaoar]

8. No. He was just re-elected in 2004

Didn't even draw a significant Democratic opponent.