President Bush is touring America attempting to sell his plans for Social Security reform. Similar to his re-election campaign, the administration is staging town-hall forums where real-Americans are able to "press" the president. Unfortunately, just as during the campaign, dissenters are not allowed.

Here are some examples of the hard questions Bush faces at these events. From Fargo, North Dakota:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Mr. President, thank you for liberating Iraq!

THE PRESIDENT: You're welcome.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: You are right; they are wrong! We are -- all the way with you!

[...]

THE PRESIDENT: Do you have any -- if you don't like them, go ahead and say it, but do you have any problems with the personal retirement accounts?

DR. BROWN [guest on stage]: Absolutely not. They offer --

THE PRESIDENT: I was hoping that would be the answer. (Laughter and applause.)

[...]

Q: Can you quote Proverbs 17:17 for me?

THE PRESIDENT: Do what?

Q: Can you quote Proverbs 17:17 for me?

THE PRESIDENT: No. (Laughter.) That's an easy one. Can you? Quote it.

Source: Washington Post

And in Tampa, Florida:

Q: First of all, I'd like to say that I'm a volunteer -- one of your very loyal and dedicated volunteers in Plant City. . . . And I'm very happy to have you as the President. . . . Whatever program that you put out for Social Security I'm fully behind it. You have my support.

Source: Washington Post

Ouch. Rough one. When does a discussion on Social Security become bible-study and how objective is a person who states, "Whatever you say, I agree with it?" Is this why Bush is so miserable at press conferences? With such a grand plan for Social Security (and costly), when do we get to the details?

Labels: bush, iraq