Post by Moses on Feb 9, 2005 10:55:34 GMT -5
www.progressforamerica.com/pfa/wrapper.jsp?PID=1101-331&CID=1101-012405C
Republicans are also divided about which Democrats are most likely to cooperate.
Many expect Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, to take the lead, but some Democrats are still miffed with Baucus over his role in the prescription-drug debate, when he helped cut a deal with Republicans. [AND the tax cuts]
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who recently co-wrote an op-ed piece for USA Today with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Social Security advocate, calling for the system's overhaul, is another possibility, Republicans said. Conrad, one Republican noted, is up for reelection in 2006 and may not want to be viewed as an obstructionist - a label that some say played a major role in Sen. Tom Daschle's (D-S.D.) defeat in November.
Conrad said yesterday that he opposes circumventing the normal budgeting process and putting Social Security reform "off-budget." He also dismissed suggestions that his involvement was politically motivated. "That's really the kind of thing that's not very useful," he said, adding that he's been interested in Social Security for nearly two decades.
Republicans are also divided about which Democrats are most likely to cooperate.
Many expect Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, to take the lead, but some Democrats are still miffed with Baucus over his role in the prescription-drug debate, when he helped cut a deal with Republicans. [AND the tax cuts]
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who recently co-wrote an op-ed piece for USA Today with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Social Security advocate, calling for the system's overhaul, is another possibility, Republicans said. Conrad, one Republican noted, is up for reelection in 2006 and may not want to be viewed as an obstructionist - a label that some say played a major role in Sen. Tom Daschle's (D-S.D.) defeat in November.
Conrad said yesterday that he opposes circumventing the normal budgeting process and putting Social Security reform "off-budget." He also dismissed suggestions that his involvement was politically motivated. "That's really the kind of thing that's not very useful," he said, adding that he's been interested in Social Security for nearly two decades.