Think Progress

Bush laments pushing for Social Security reform two days after citing it as his biggest accomplishment.

bushweb4.jpgYesterday the Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes reported that during a private meeting with President Bush last Friday, Bush cited his failed push to privatize Social Security as his biggest domestic policy achievement. However, yesterday in an interview with conservative columnist Cal Thomas, Bush seemed to change his mind, saying he wished he had focused on immigration reform instead of Social Security:

THOMAS: And biggest do-over? Knowing everything you know now, what would you have done over again?

BUSH: I probably, in retrospect, should have pushed immigration reform right after the ‘04 election and not Social Security reform.

Regardless, some conservatives fault Bush for focusing on both issues. When asked what Bush’s “biggest mistake” was as president yesterday during the RNC chair candidate debate, South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson said the “Social Security debate and the immigration debate.” “Those were two that tore our Party apart at certain times and cost us electorally,” he said.




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73 Responses to “Bush laments pushing for Social Security reform two days after citing it as his biggest accomplishment.”

  1. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    Whatever he's on, I want some!


  2. ElBruce Says:

    There are two George Bushes. Whichever one is not on duty is stored in Dick Cheney's man-sized safe. They switch out every six months.

    It's the only explanation.


  3. Juan C. Says:

    Sorry for the off-topic:

    Turkey-Israel basketball game canned after pro-Gaza protesters storm court
    By Reuters

    A basketball game between a Turkish and an Israeli team was suspended on Tuesday after Turkish fans erupted in protests against the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, Turkish media reported.

    Source.


  4. Juan C. Says:

    Duh, I was going to add:

    At least, somebody is doing something.


  5. LiberalVoter Says:

    Biggest do over - NOT STOPPING 9/11! WTF!!! How about that one Bush? Worst President EVER!


  6. OleHippieChick Says:

    bu$hler's a frikkin lunatic.


  7. stateofthedivision Says:

    That's the problem with the drunk strict father model. It blows kids/voters brains.


  8. stateofthedivision Says:

    If you can't stand for something, you'll fall for anything...


  9. Arctic Ghetto Says:

    Hey Bush, "probably, in retrospect" maybe you should have offered some drinking water to dying Americans on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Katrina? Ring any bells? Anyone there? Hello?


  10. Gregor Samsa Says:

    Bush: My push to reform Social Security is my biggest accomplishment.
    Reporter: Uh, sir, isn't success usually defined as reaching the intended goal?
    Bush: Doh!

    (George Bush = real life Homer Simpson)


  11. Cal Malenky Says:

    Once again, through the looking glass:
    The Secretary of Failure himself, our President.


  12. morlock Says:

    @Briseadh na Faire

    Actually, whatever he's on, I never want to get close to it. Seriously brain-warping stuff.


  13. Roket Says:

    Citing failed reforms as achievements could go on forever with this guy. What new and improved failed achievement will tomorrow bring?


  14. tbone Says:

    Is this guy sentient? No, seriously. Is he sentient?


  15. Marie Says:

    WTF?
    A failure is an ahievement except when it isn't.
    We should be glad that the soc sec plan failed.


  16. Mr. Evil Says:

    To be as kind to George Bush as I can, he's quite possibly the stupidest person on the face of the earth.


  17. LiberalVoter Says:

    Mr. Evil, I am not sure stupidest really fits. I don't believe he is stupid. Ignorant, sociopathic, egotistical, delusional, dangerous and uncaring to name a few. Plus some that won't pass the TP filters.


  18. ElBruce Says:

    OK OK, here's a possible explanation: after Bush's dinner with Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol...

    Barnes and Kristol leave.

    DICK CHENEY turns to BUSH

    CHENEY: You know when you told them that the Social Security privatization push was your greatest achievement?

    BUSH: Yeah, heh heh. That was awesome.

    CHENEY: It failed.

    BUSH: Yeah, but my point was I made it a politically safe issue! That's something.

    CHENEY: No, you didn't. Look, we pushed for privatization in 2005, right?

    BUSH: Yeah...

    CHENEY: Remember what happened in 2006?

    BUSH THINKS

    CHENEY: You don't, do you?

    BUSH: What?

    CHENEY: We lost the Congress, that's what! And it's been getting worse ever since.

    BUSH: Gosh, you're right. I guess that privatization thing sucked after all! Thanks for clearing that up, Dick.

    CHENEY: That's what I'm here for, sir.

    BUSH RUNS OUT DOOR

    BUSH: Hey guys, wait up! I meant to say Social Security privatization was my biggest failure! I shoulda done immigration reform!

    DICK CHENEY SIGHS HEAVILY, TURNS INTO BAT, FLIES AWAY


  19. curious Says:

    As usual he cannot come to a conclusion regarding even his own opinion. And as usual he was wrong. His biggest achievement is
    ruining the country. We must give credit where it is due.

    God, I am so sick of this man. And so sick of the Republican party and pundits and spin machines. Eight years of this and still they talk as if they have done something good or relevant. They give opinions as if they were worth listening to. And with the kind of media we now have, they actually still listen and ask opinions of people who have no right to speak with authority on anything.


  20. Fred Says:

    When asked what Bush’s “biggest mistake” was as president yesterday during the RNC chair candidate debate, South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson said the “Social Security debate and the immigration debate.” “Those were two that tore our Party apart at certain times and cost us electorally,” he said.

    You just keep believing that.........the truth would, after all, break your black heart.


  21. McWars Says:

    Give Bush his own $1.6M advance to read directions to the nearest mental institution.


  22. wiley Says:

    He can't assess his job---he would have to consider how he has affected people he doesn't care about. So this is all very abstract for him.


  23. pete Says:

    OT:

    If one really wishes to yank the chains of the foulest creatures I’ve seen on the net, may I suggest Rapture Ready? I was banned, before my one attempted post passed the moderators, for trying to say, “No WMD were found”.

    They have now “progressed” to open calls for the assassination of President Elect Obama. This is just one sample, though I daresay one can find something just as disgusting in virtually every thread:

    Can we go to the next step (as we are comparing Obama to Lincoln) . . . what happened to Lincoln on April 14, 1865?
    KaiafromBergen

    Our “beloved” Daryll is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the vile sh!tbags that post there and it appears the Secret Service hasn't yet seen fit to act.


  24. LiberalVoter Says:

    Pete, please forward the threats to President-Elect Obama's life to both the FBI and the Secret Service. Direct threats to assassinate President-Elect Obama are against the law as well as being dangerous. These people need to be dealt with (as long as the FBI is done infiltrating peace organizations and therefore have the personnel to actually follow up).


  25. Keith Says:

    Bottom line: Bush has no domestic policy achievement.


  26. Perry logan Says:

    Bush's biggest accomplishment may still lie ahead. It remains to be seen whether the United States can even survive his tenure.


  27. pete Says:

    The SS and FBI have been informed by me and others, LiberalVoter. Yet the same offenders are still posting their threats. I'm hopeful that the new management takes a more stern view about threats directed at Dems, and "libruls", in general.

    Until that happens I will continue to inform anyone who will listen about what passes for "discussion" on the pages of that vile site.


  28. LiberalVoter Says:

    Thanks pete. Pax


  29. Bobwurst Says:

    I thought trading Sammy Sosa to the Cubs was his biggest failure. Or maybe it was his never getting to the the top of the pyramid back in his cheerleading days. Or not finding the WMD in his office.


  30. ElBruce Says:

    Have a progressive day, Crusher!

    PS: What are you talking about? And why do you keep posting in threads to say that they should be about a different topic than they are? Do you think that's going to work?


  31. jb Says:

    He has successfully caused more terror in the citizens of the USA than even Bin Laden could have hoped for. Viewed through the eyes of a terrorist, he has indeed been quite successful in destroying much of the American and world economy, driven our military to the brink, destroyed the credibility of the USA in the eyes of the world. I'm sure Al Qaida is very pleased with the administration of W.


  32. joe cantwell Says:

    Hippie_crusher Says:
    This site is such a joke just like the losers who live on it.

    WHAT’S THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE DAY PEOPLE????

    OH THAT’S RIGHT, THE BLATENT RACISM BY THE DEMOCRATS.

    Of course, it’s buried on the site underneath FIVE ridiculous bush stories and a laughable story about gender language.

    DENIAL ain’t a river in Eygpt morons.

    There is no hope for you brain dead idiots. You’re all a bunch of HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!!!!!

    +

    let's read that again, this time in the original german:

    Hippie_crusher Sagt:
    Diese Seite ist solch ein Witz gerade wie die Verlierer, die davon leben.

    WIE IST DIE GRÖßTE GESCHICHTE DER TAGESLEUTE????

    OH GANZ RECHT, DER BLATENT RASSISMUS DURCH DIE DEMOKRATEN.

    Natürlich wird es auf der Seite unter FÜNF lächerlichen Strauch-Geschichten und einer lachhaften Geschichte über die Geschlechtsprache begraben.

    LEUGNUNG ist nicht ein Fluss in Eygpt Idioten.

    Es gibt keine Hoffnung für Sie tote Gehirnidioten. Sie sind ganzer ein Bündel von HEUCHLERN!!!!!!!!!!!

    *

    good luck with your mein kampf

    and we look forward to seeing you

    on american idol.

    :)


  33. Keith Says:

    crusher, the biggest loser that lives on this site seems to be you.

    The expression is "Denial is not just a river in Egypt" NOT "Denial ain'r a river in Egypt", moron.

    Must really suck to be a Bush supporter today.
    73% disapproval rating = worst in US history.
    61% of historians say he is worst president in nation's history.
    National debt now $12 TRILLION.


  34. LiberalVoter Says:

    Hippie_crusher needs to visit his doctor. It appears his meds are way out of whack as he has probably been self medicating. Hopefully someone intervenes before he hurts himself or someone else. What a shame.


  35. Game of Life Says:

    Juan C. Says:

    Duh, I was going to add:

    At least, somebody is doing something.

    Thank you Turkey!

    eeerrrr, chimpy is Turkey a "terrorist" state?


  36. jb Says:

    Also, the rubber turkey has got to be one of W's big achievements and to my mind a perfect symbol of his Presidency. Fakery used to play to a certain set of cliches, but useless come dinner time. Like Crusher the rubber turkey who talks out his butt.


  37. stewarjt Says:

    He's consistent. He still doesn't have a clue.


  38. Game of Life Says:

    Hippie_crusher

    Racist how?


  39. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Hippie_crusher Says:
    _________

    Sheesh... talk about your hysterical queens...

    Love the mullet... BTW.

    Truth? You're a HUGE Ted Nugent fan, aren't you?

    And before Teddy, it was Grand Funk, all the way.

    But secretly, you've always thought the two male members of ABBA were 'attractive", in a "manly" sort of way...


  40. Keith Says:

    Hey, I LIKE Grand Funk.


  41. joe cantwell Says:

    jb Says:
    Also, the rubber turkey has got to be one of W’s big achievements and to my mind a perfect symbol of his Presidency. Fakery used to play to a certain set of cliches, but useless come dinner time. Like Crusher the rubber turkey who talks out his butt.

    *

    pretty tough, jb

    but let me tell you something;

    herr_crusher eats rubber turkeys

    for breakfast!

    ;)

    sieg heil.

    :?)


  42. dbadass Says:

    Hippie_crusher:
    In the interest of not blowing the parody could you explain your persistance at a site of such suckiness? Seems sort of odd. Is this one of those weird string theory types dealios?


  43. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Keith Says:

    Hey, I LIKE Grand Funk.
    _________

    Okay... okay... bad choice.

    After all, they were An American Band...

    So "has_a_crush" s prolly a HUGE Toby Keith fan too... there, better?


  44. Keith Says:

    That's better!


  45. Keith Says:

    Ted Nugent is really a whackjob!


  46. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Keith Says:

    Ted Nugent is really a whackjob!
    _____________

    All the more fuel for "has_a_crush's" fire...


  47. joe cantwell Says:

    dbadass Says:
    Hippie_crusher:
    In the interest of not blowing the parody could you explain your persistance at a site of such suckiness? Seems sort of odd. Is this one of those weird string theory types dealios?

    January 6th, 2009 at 11:17 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    *

    careful there db,

    herr_crusher makes chuck norris

    look like larry craig, ted haggard

    and jeff gannon in a

    toilet stall sandwich!

    ;?)


  48. old_hack Says:

    what are you guys gonna do when Obama starts stuttering and shuffling his feet when he becomes president. If ever there was a time to start fighting for direct democracy its now.


  49. ElBruce Says:

    Hippie_Crusher makes more sense if you mentally read his posts in the voice of Randy "Macho Man" Savage.

    Then he's awesome.


  50. Game of Life Says:

    Building walls to keep some Brown people out.

    Building no where bridges for "settlers."

    Killing anything Brown abroad.

    And the cause?


  51. COProgressive Says:

    Okay, let's think this one through. Bush wanted to privatize SS and dump the money into the stock market to have the "Brains" and firms like Lehman Bros., Merrill Lynch, and Bear Sterns "manage" our retirement safety net.

    The good people of America laughted that proposal right out the door and with good reason. Could you imagine the number of people on soup line now from companies like Enron and WorldComm that lost all their retirement savings and then went on to see their SS flushed by the "Brains" on Wall Street?

    Good plan George. But he doesn't have to worry, he has a government retirement plan that he hasn't had to do anything to get.

    George W. Bush - Worst president Ever!


  52. stateofthedivision Says:

    Jeb Bush and cousin George Herbert Walker worked for Lehman Brothers. They're now part owners of Neuberger Investment Management. The bankruptcy judge sold it for 58% off with no money down.


  53. dbadass Says:

    with all respect to ElBruce, wrestling references always trump all. It is sort of unfair unless this is like SkipBo or one of those games. It is like the super cool wildcard of all wildcards. Still I think a George the Animal Steel card ought to really carry some turnbuckle biting weight and god forbid the playing to the two card pair of Fuji and Tanaka...


  54. joe cantwell Says:

    herr_crusher has left the building.

    i didn't know bedtime was so early

    at the home.

    ;(


  55. COProgressive Says:

    stateofthedivision Says:
    Jeb Bush and cousin George Herbert Walker worked for Lehman Brothers. They’re now part owners of Neuberger Investment Management. The bankruptcy judge sold it for 58% off with no money down.

    Yeah, heard about that. Geez, some people get all the good deals, like the shrub getting a baseball team and stadium on borrowed $100,000 only to turn it over for $ 9 million a few years later.

    Maybe if I change my name to Bush good deals will fall in my lap too.


  56. Keith Says:

    If you invested $5,048 in Nasdaq in March 2000, you would have $1,652 today (minus fees).


  57. Briseadh na Faire Says:


    morlock Says:

    @Briseadh na Faire

    Actually, whatever he’s on, I never want to get close to it. Seriously brain-warping stuff.

    Yes, but everything is happy and wonderful and you never fail at anything and the world is at peace and everybody loves you!!!


  58. LiberalVoter Says:

    But Briseadh na Faire, some of us have to deal with reality and try to clean up after the 'Worst President Ever'®


  59. wiley Says:

    Italy privatized some of their retirement funds, and now they're sorry.


  60. rogerD Says:

    Every time I hear the man speak, I feel a little stupider. BTW, W, every country that privatized its national pension fund had to be bailed out by the taxpayers. But then again, maybe that was the plan all along. De-regulate, privatize, bust the unions=the republican lullaby.


  61. sectionop92 Says:

    What now...is Georgie sad he didn't turn I.C.E. into the Freedom Family Democracy Gestapo and turn the National Guard loose on the border in a S.S.-type fashion to protect us all from the hired help that his agency heads use?!

    Get this man on a stable regiment of Lithium, Cymbalta and Vodka until the 20th, please!


  62. Fred Says:

    old_hack Says:
    what are you guys gonna do when Obama starts stuttering and shuffling his feet when he becomes president.

    Are you going to apologize if that doesn't happen?


  63. Witch1 Says:

    Look's like bull shit bush, sick twitch that he is has finelly slipped his wrapper all together....P.B.& J


  64. KayInMaine Says:

    George Bush is such a screw up. It's hard for him to choose which screw up was his best one and vice versa.


  65. Doc Rock Says:

    Whaddaya expect from the fool of Chelm?


  66. smchris Says:

    Well, I have to agree in a fascist Hitlerian sort of way that the sick bastard is right. A lot of people _like_ getting their social security so it was a poor strategic move to attack it so early in the process. On the other hand, what Rove's minions failed to do was get the American people to hate enough. Oh sure, they tried to demonize the secular humanists, gays, and Mexicans. Like Hitler had his Jews, gays and gypsies, you really need a focus of hate to get the masses marching in the streets and sacrificing their personal futures for the "good of the fatherland". They failed. And the American people, for all their shortcomings sitting in front of the TV chewing their cud and watching American Idol while the Bushies drove the country straight to hell, the one thing they didn't do was hate as much as they should have to fulfill the dreams of the Bush regime.


  67. Alecto Says:

    Sung to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an AMerican"

    I'm embarrased to be an American
    with bush at the helm
    He's always there to cause us greif
    and take our rights from thee

    And I would stand up
    and hang his ass
    to protect the "god damn document"

    But, I'll tell you now
    I love this land
    Go away you SOB....


  68. happygolucky Says:

    BIGGEST MISTAKE---> Being DUMB as a F'ing STUMP
    BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT---> Retaining 14% approval given his suck performance in everything from WAR to $$$$


  69. shoeless Says:

    I guess someone told him that Social Security is still functioning. Doh!


  70. happygolucky Says:

    C L A S S W A R F A R E ----- is ON !!!!
    I wasn't born to serve the wealthy... to waste my life enhancing their greed... to work in THEIR factories....
    TAX THE HELL OUT OF THEM AND SPREAD THE WEALTH... let Paris get a REAL JOB other than milking the chickens and plucking the cowhands.


  71. OhioProgressive Says:

    Biggest success: Michiavellian politics.You near bankrupted the country and gutted the Constitution and left a few land mines for Obama to find buried in the bowels of the CIA and Justice Dept.
    Biggest failure: Buying all that land in Paraguay to get away from your destruction and then finding out they have extradition laws after all. Damn, that sucks.


  72. Keith Says:

    Chile has also had problems with privatizing retirement. From Mother Jones March 2005:

    "A recent report by the Chilean government brought more grim news, forecasting that as many as half of all workers won't be able to save enough to receive the minimum pension when they retire—even after paying into their accounts for 30 years—and will therefore rely on government subsidies. More than 17 percent of Chile's retirees now continue working because they can't afford to live on their pensions, according to that study, and another 7 percent want to work, but can't find jobs."


  73. telestai Says:

    Shrub's biggest mistake remains active: he opens his mouth in front of folks with brains.



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