Sideshow?

From the Post:

"We've now got this huge fight over a sideshow," (Lindsey )Graham (R-S.C.) said during a meeting with Washington Post reporters and editors. "It's always been a sideshow, but we sold it as the main event. [Critics are] attacking it as the undoing of Social Security. That's what frustrates me -- that we're off in a ditch over a sideshow, and there's plenty of blame to go around."

Sideshow? Is he serious?

Now that polls show it's unpopular, Republicans are trying to hide it under the rug? Sure smells like a bait and switch to me, considering Graham's own plan includes carve out private accounts.

Privatization is the centerpiece of George W. Bush's plan. It's the only thing he's clear about.

Allan Hubbard, the new head of Mr. Bush's National Economic Council, rejected as "absolutely a non-starter" Mr. Graham's idea of setting aside private accounts to focus on Social Security's solvency. He also rejected the Democratic proposal for add on private accounts that will not use any Social Security funds.

Unfortunately for Mr. Bush, Democrats are just as clear on this. Publicly and unequivocally take carve out private accounts off the table because it does nothing to strengthen Social Security. Short of that there's no reason to talk.

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