Bush to detail plan for Social Security

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President Bush will reveal previously undisclosed details about his plan to reform Social Security in tomorrow's State of the Union address, although Democrats yesterday began attacking the speech before the final draft was completed.

"He will talk in certainly greater detail than he has previously on Social Security," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. "You'll also hear him talk, in a more specific way, about some of the ways forward to finding solutions to strengthen it."

Although details of the speech were not disclosed, Democrats issued what they called a "pre-buttal" aimed at minimizing the political "bounce" that presidents typically get in the wake of such addresses.

"President Bush sees undermining Social Security as the cornerstone of his ownership society," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, at the National Press Club.

"Democrats will not allow this administration to turn this proud, entrepreneurial achievement of the New Deal into a raw deal for millions of Americans," she added.

Mrs. Pelosi was joined by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who accused Mr. Bush of overstating the financial challenges of Social Security.

"Social Security is not a crisis," the Nevada Democrat said. "I would like to see the State of the Union focus on the real problems of this country, not the manufactured crisis."

The Republican National Committee returned fire by labeling Mr. Reid and Mrs. Pelosi the "dynamic duo of obstruction" who lack the vision for "preserving Social Security for future generations."

"The Democrat leaders' attacks on a speech that has not even been delivered are a sad reminder of their determination to score partisan political points -- even at the cost of accomplishing the business of the American people," RNC spokesman Brian Jones said.

Mr. Reid and Mrs. Pelosi were not the only Bush detractors who preemptively lashed out at the Social Security aspect of his State of the Union speech. The liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org used the occasion to solicit donations.