Jimcomma -- Post the whole story! OT
 

You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:

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Memo From RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman To RNC Members On Social Security And The
2006 Elections
Republican National Committee ^ | February 11, 2005

Posted on 02/11/2005 10:35:19 AM PST by RWR8189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Schmitt
202-863-8614

TO: RNC Members
FROM: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman
Social Security: Good Policy and Good Politics
DATE: February 11, 2005

While modernizing Social Security was once considered "touching the third rail"
of American politics, today Social Security reform is not only good policy, it's
also good politics. A majority of Americans agree with the President that reform
is needed and personal retirement accounts (PRAs) are a good idea. Support for
PRAs and reform is particularly high among ticket splitters, swing voters and
some groups that historically vote Democrat.

Americans Overwhelmingly Agree With President Bush: Social Security Reform Is
Needed. In any debate or discussion, the first question that needs to be
answered is whether or not there is a problem. According to a recent CNN/Gallup
poll (Feb 4-6), 72% of Americans think Social Security faces a crisis or has
major problems. A Washington Post/Kaiser Foundation/Harvard University poll (Feb
3-6) found that 73% believed the same and in a recent Harris Poll, 89% of the
public supports reforms to the Social Security system. As the President has
begun talking to the public about this first question of whether or not there is
a problem and reform is needed, we see in poll after poll, the answer is a
resounding "yes".

Personal Retirement Accounts (PRAs) Are Popular With The GOP Voters, Swing
Voters And Young Voters. The next question is whether there is public support
for the President's plan. According to the Tarrance/Public Opinion Strategies
poll (Jan 11-13), Americans favor voluntary personal retirement accounts by 57%
to 39%. Among Republicans and ticket splitters the numbers are even larger. 85%
of Republicans support the President's PRA proposal (60% strongly support),
including 77% of Republicans 55 and over. Furthermore, 68% of Republicans
believe PRAs would strengthen Social Security, including 64% of Republicans over
55. According to a Voter Consumer Research poll (Jan 23-25), widespread support
is seen among traditional swing voters and non-Republicans.




Favor PRAs


Oppose PRAs


Diff (+/-)

18-24 voters


77%


21%


56%

26-45 voters


73%


26%


47%

Hispanic


70%


30%


40%

Married, Working White women


67%


29%


38%

Frequent Church goers


65%


32%


33%

Trade Union Members


63%


32%


31%

Working White women


64%


33%


31%

Catholics


62%


35%


27%

African-American


62%


36%


26%

Protestants


62%


36%


26%

Non-Married Working White Women


61%


39%


22%

Independent Female


58%


40%


18%

White Union Members


55%


39%


16%

Turning Out Our Base Will Be Critical To Success In 2006. These findings are
particularly significant as we enter into the 2006 election cycle. While 59% of
eligible adults turned out in 2004, turnout in 2006 is likely to be about half
that number. With lower overall turnout, off-year elections are more impacted by
base motivation than Presidential year elections. Republicans win in off year
elections when our base is motivated. In 1994, we won control of the House for
the first time in 40 years in part because conservatives increased their
participation in the electorate from 30% to 37% from 1992. Similarly, in 2002,
Republicans increased their proportion of the electorate from 36% in 2000 to
39%, while Democrat turnout declined from 39% to 35%. Both 1994 and 2002 were
successful, in significant part, because our base was motivated and turned out
in higher numbers.


--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

John H wrote:
You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:

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Memo From RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman To RNC Members On Social Security And The
2006 Elections
Republican National Committee ^ | February 11, 2005

Posted on 02/11/2005 10:35:19 AM PST by RWR8189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Schmitt
202-863-8614

TO: RNC Members
FROM: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman
Social Security: Good Policy and Good Politics
DATE: February 11, 2005

While modernizing Social Security was once considered "touching the third rail"
of American politics, today Social Security reform is not only good policy, it's
also good politics. A majority of Americans agree with the President that reform
is needed and personal retirement accounts (PRAs) are a good idea. Support for
PRAs and reform is particularly high among ticket splitters, swing voters and
some groups that historically vote Democrat.

Americans Overwhelmingly Agree With President Bush: Social Security Reform Is
Needed. In any debate or discussion, the first question that needs to be
answered is whether or not there is a problem. According to a recent CNN/Gallup
poll (Feb 4-6), 72% of Americans think Social Security faces a crisis or has
major problems. A Washington Post/Kaiser Foundation/Harvard University poll (Feb
3-6) found that 73% believed the same and in a recent Harris Poll, 89% of the
public supports reforms to the Social Security system. As the President has
begun talking to the public about this first question of whether or not there is
a problem and reform is needed, we see in poll after poll, the answer is a
resounding "yes".

Personal Retirement Accounts (PRAs) Are Popular With The GOP Voters, Swing
Voters And Young Voters. The next question is whether there is public support
for the President's plan. According to the Tarrance/Public Opinion Strategies
poll (Jan 11-13), Americans favor voluntary personal retirement accounts by 57%
to 39%. Among Republicans and ticket splitters the numbers are even larger. 85%
of Republicans support the President's PRA proposal (60% strongly support),
including 77% of Republicans 55 and over. Furthermore, 68% of Republicans
believe PRAs would strengthen Social Security, including 64% of Republicans over
55. According to a Voter Consumer Research poll (Jan 23-25), widespread support
is seen among traditional swing voters and non-Republicans.




Favor PRAs


Oppose PRAs


Diff (+/-)

18-24 voters


77%


21%


56%

26-45 voters


73%


26%


47%

Hispanic


70%


30%


40%

Married, Working White women


67%


29%


38%

Frequent Church goers


65%


32%


33%

Trade Union Members


63%


32%


31%

Working White women


64%


33%


31%

Catholics


62%


35%


27%

African-American


62%


36%


26%

Protestants


62%


36%


26%

Non-Married Working White Women


61%


39%


22%

Independent Female


58%


40%


18%

White Union Members


55%


39%


16%

Turning Out Our Base Will Be Critical To Success In 2006. These findings are
particularly significant as we enter into the 2006 election cycle. While 59% of
eligible adults turned out in 2004, turnout in 2006 is likely to be about half
that number. With lower overall turnout, off-year elections are more impacted by
base motivation than Presidential year elections. Republicans win in off year
elections when our base is motivated. In 1994, we won control of the House for
the first time in 40 years in part because conservatives increased their
participation in the electorate from 30% to 37% from 1992. Similarly, in 2002,
Republicans increased their proportion of the electorate from 36% in 2000 to
39%, while Democrat turnout declined from 39% to 35%. Both 1994 and 2002 were
successful, in significant part, because our base was motivated and turned out
in higher numbers.



OK John here is a copy of the WHOLE memo I got.
Strategy memo MEMORANDUM TO REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

FROM: Chairman Ken Mehlman
Latest Trends in the Social Security Debate
DATE: March 22, 2005

As the President and Congress have debated Social Security reform over
the past couple of months, certain trends have emerged. Americans have
learned more about the problems facing the current system, and thus, are
more likely to recognize the need for changes in the future, including
Personal Retirement Accounts. The following points are clear:

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

The increased importance of Social Security is confirmed by several
other polls. This week's Battleground 2006 poll found Social Security
(17%) as the "number one problem for the President and Congress to deal
with." Also a recent Harris poll found 37% of Americans think Social
Security is the most important issue for the government to address, an
increase of 33% from last October when just 4% thought it was the most
important issue.

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

In the past few years, according to polls conducted by the Tarrance
Group, more and more Americans think the Social Security system needs
major changes:

Poll Date Major Changes Modest Changes Minor Adjustment No Change
Tarrance Group 1/10-13/05 53% 31% 12% 1%
Tarrance Group 1/17-21/02 37% 33% 9% 19%
Third, as Americans hear more and more about possible reforms, support
for Personal Retirement Accounts has increased. A recent Gallup survey
found that 58% of Americans believe that Social Security Legislation
should "include a provision that would allow people who retire in future
decades to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock
market and bonds."

Support for Personal Retirement Accounts has increased. According to a
recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, fifty-six percent (56%) of
Americans support allowing workers to invest some of their Social
Security contributions in the stock market, while 41% oppose such an
idea. The number of Americans who support PRAs has increased by a net of
6% since last December, when 53% supported the plan and 44% opposed it.
This is the highest level of support for PRAs since the Post first asked
the question in 2000.

Those eligible for Personal Retirement Accounts see benefits from them.
According to a recent Pew poll, among those eligible for Personal
Retirement Accounts, 56% believe investment would bring higher benefits;
just 12% predict lower benefits and 55% would invest if given choice.
Once PRAs are explained, a majority of Americans support them. According
to the Democracy Corps poll, 40% of Americans support PRAs before they
are explained, while 51% oppose them. However, after a plan for
voluntary personal retirement accounts is explained, support rises to
54%, while 45% remain opposed.

Finally, as Americans follow the Social Security Debate, they trust
President Bush more than Democrats to find a solution. According to
recent polls by the Winston Group and NPR, President leads Democrats on
who offers better ideas and who is working on a bipartisan basis.

Bush Advantage Winston Group NPR
Who is willing to work with both political parties to find a
solution? +16 +18
Is offering the right kind of ideas? +8 +6
Who do you trust to make the right kinds of changes? +7 +8
Americans are realizing that Democrats are opposing Social Security
modernization because they lack their own plans: The Democracy Corps
poll also showed that 50% of Americans believe that Democrats are
opposing President Bush's plans to strengthen Social Security just to
block his agenda, while only 42% believe that they are opposing
President Bush's plan because they have a better way to strengthen
Social Security.

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:30:38 GMT, "Jim," wrote:

John H wrote:
You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:

I noticed that nowhere in the complete memo were the words, "more BS snipped."

That was my point.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

John H wrote:

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:30:38 GMT, "Jim," wrote:


John H wrote:

You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:


I noticed that nowhere in the complete memo were the words, "more BS snipped."

That was my point.

Sorry to confuse you; would you rather I *NOT* identify the parts
snipped? -- Or should I have stated more *propaganda* snipped

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:57:59 GMT, "Jim," wrote:

John H wrote:

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:30:38 GMT, "Jim," wrote:


John H wrote:

You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:


I noticed that nowhere in the complete memo were the words, "more BS snipped."

That was my point.

Sorry to confuse you; would you rather I *NOT* identify the parts
snipped? -- Or should I have stated more *propaganda* snipped

I would prefer you post the URL. Then there can be no doubt. By posting the URL
you don't permit yourself to be tainted the way another individual on the group
has been with his 'partial posts'.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

John H wrote:

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:57:59 GMT, "Jim," wrote:


John H wrote:


On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:30:38 GMT, "Jim," wrote:



John H wrote:


You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:


I noticed that nowhere in the complete memo were the words, "more BS snipped."

That was my point.

Sorry to confuse you; would you rather I *NOT* identify the parts
snipped? -- Or should I have stated more *propaganda* snipped


I would prefer you post the URL. Then there can be no doubt. By posting the URL
you don't permit yourself to be tainted the way another individual on the group
has been with his 'partial posts'.

Had you bothered to read the post, I DID post the URL. I snipped the
memo (and identified where I snipped). Suggest you scroll back a bit --
*NO* just for you I'll repost the original post in the thread I started

Follows

From a RNC memo

From: "Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman"

Bunch of BS snipped

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

more BS snipped

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

NOW google "ABC News/Washington Post poll +social security" and find
http://www.pollingreport.com/social.htm --- See *THIS* John

From the survey

"Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Bush is doing in each
of these areas? Handling of Social Security issues."


Approve Disap-prove Unsure

% % %
3/15-17/05 37 54 8
1/12-13/05 40 49 11



"President Bush said that the Social Security system needs to be
overhauled immediately to avert a crisis in the future. Others say that
the system can be saved with relatively small changes and that this is
just a scare tactic. Which view is closest to your own? Is there a
crisis or is this just a scare tactic?"


There Is a Crisis ScareTactic Neither(vol.) Unsure
% % % %
3/15-17/05 43 48 3 6
1/12-13/05 45 44 3 7



"President Bush favors changing the Social Security system to allow
people to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax in stocks and
bonds. Do you favor or oppose this proposed change to Social Security?"




Favor Oppose Unsure
% % %
3/15-17/05 40 52 8
1/12-13/05 44 47 9

Draw your own conclusions.

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 16:26:17 GMT, "Jim," wrote:

John H wrote:

I would prefer you post the URL. Then there can be no doubt. By posting the URL
you don't permit yourself to be tainted the way another individual on the group
has been with his 'partial posts'.

Had you bothered to read the post, I DID post the URL. I snipped the
memo (and identified where I snipped). Suggest you scroll back a bit --
*NO* just for you I'll repost the original post in the thread I started

Follows

From a RNC memo

From: "Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman"

Bunch of BS snipped

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

more BS snipped

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

NOW google "ABC News/Washington Post poll +social security" and find
http://www.pollingreport.com/social.htm --- See *THIS* John

From the survey

"Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Bush is doing in each
of these areas? Handling of Social Security issues."


Approve Disap-prove Unsure

% % %
3/15-17/05 37 54 8
1/12-13/05 40 49 11



"President Bush said that the Social Security system needs to be
overhauled immediately to avert a crisis in the future. Others say that
the system can be saved with relatively small changes and that this is
just a scare tactic. Which view is closest to your own? Is there a
crisis or is this just a scare tactic?"


There Is a Crisis ScareTactic Neither(vol.) Unsure
% % % %
3/15-17/05 43 48 3 6
1/12-13/05 45 44 3 7



"President Bush favors changing the Social Security system to allow
people to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax in stocks and
bonds. Do you favor or oppose this proposed change to Social Security?"




Favor Oppose Unsure
% % %
3/15-17/05 40 52 8
1/12-13/05 44 47 9

Draw your own conclusions.

I see no URL for the memo.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

John H wrote:
On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 16:26:17 GMT, "Jim," wrote:


John H wrote:


I would prefer you post the URL. Then there can be no doubt. By posting the URL
you don't permit yourself to be tainted the way another individual on the group
has been with his 'partial posts'.

Had you bothered to read the post, I DID post the URL. I snipped the
memo (and identified where I snipped). Suggest you scroll back a bit --
*NO* just for you I'll repost the original post in the thread I started

Follows

From a RNC memo

From: "Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman"

Bunch of BS snipped

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

more BS snipped

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

NOW google "ABC News/Washington Post poll +social security" and find
http://www.pollingreport.com/social.htm --- See *THIS* John

From the survey

"Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Bush is doing in each
of these areas? Handling of Social Security issues."


Approve Disap-prove Unsure

% % %
3/15-17/05 37 54 8
1/12-13/05 40 49 11



"President Bush said that the Social Security system needs to be
overhauled immediately to avert a crisis in the future. Others say that
the system can be saved with relatively small changes and that this is
just a scare tactic. Which view is closest to your own? Is there a
crisis or is this just a scare tactic?"


There Is a Crisis ScareTactic Neither(vol.) Unsure
% % % %
3/15-17/05 43 48 3 6
1/12-13/05 45 44 3 7



"President Bush favors changing the Social Security system to allow
people to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax in stocks and
bonds. Do you favor or oppose this proposed change to Social Security?"




Favor Oppose Unsure
% % %
3/15-17/05 40 52 8
1/12-13/05 44 47 9

Draw your own conclusions.


I see no URL for the memo.

The memo was just that -- a memo sent via Email -- how did you get
yours?. ASFAIK there IS no URL for an email

Now you ask why am I getting republican emails?

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer"

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 16:51:15 GMT, "Jim," wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 16:26:17 GMT, "Jim," wrote:


John H wrote:


I would prefer you post the URL. Then there can be no doubt. By posting the URL
you don't permit yourself to be tainted the way another individual on the group
has been with his 'partial posts'.

Had you bothered to read the post, I DID post the URL. I snipped the
memo (and identified where I snipped). Suggest you scroll back a bit --
*NO* just for you I'll repost the original post in the thread I started

Follows

From a RNC memo

From: "Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman"

Bunch of BS snipped

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

more BS snipped

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

NOW google "ABC News/Washington Post poll +social security" and find
http://www.pollingreport.com/social.htm --- See *THIS* John

From the survey

"Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Bush is doing in each
of these areas? Handling of Social Security issues."


Approve Disap-prove Unsure

% % %
3/15-17/05 37 54 8
1/12-13/05 40 49 11



"President Bush said that the Social Security system needs to be
overhauled immediately to avert a crisis in the future. Others say that
the system can be saved with relatively small changes and that this is
just a scare tactic. Which view is closest to your own? Is there a
crisis or is this just a scare tactic?"


There Is a Crisis ScareTactic Neither(vol.) Unsure
% % % %
3/15-17/05 43 48 3 6
1/12-13/05 45 44 3 7



"President Bush favors changing the Social Security system to allow
people to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax in stocks and
bonds. Do you favor or oppose this proposed change to Social Security?"




Favor Oppose Unsure
% % %
3/15-17/05 40 52 8
1/12-13/05 44 47 9

Draw your own conclusions.


I see no URL for the memo.

The memo was just that -- a memo sent via Email -- how did you get
yours?. ASFAIK there IS no URL for an email

Now you ask why am I getting republican emails?

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer"

What's hilarious, and you haven't caught it yet, is that we're talking about two
different memos. You got one by email. I got one from Google. The subjects are
close, but unless they're both read, they appear to be the same.

So, my choice of the word 'pertinent' was extremely poor, as what I *thought*
you'd left out, the various survey results, was never *in* your memo.

If you hadn't deleted stuff, and if I had read both more carefully, this would
never have happened.

I apologize for my error in the above, and you've already apologized. So, we're
even!

Love,

--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:30:38 GMT, "Jim," wrote:

John H wrote:
You'll notice the new tactics. Cut'n'paste is now 'cut and snip'. Here's the
entire memo:

Free Republic
Home · Browse · Search News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Memo From RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman To RNC Members On Social Security And The
2006 Elections
Republican National Committee ^ | February 11, 2005

Posted on 02/11/2005 10:35:19 AM PST by RWR8189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Schmitt
202-863-8614

TO: RNC Members
FROM: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman
Social Security: Good Policy and Good Politics
DATE: February 11, 2005

While modernizing Social Security was once considered "touching the third rail"
of American politics, today Social Security reform is not only good policy, it's
also good politics. A majority of Americans agree with the President that reform
is needed and personal retirement accounts (PRAs) are a good idea. Support for
PRAs and reform is particularly high among ticket splitters, swing voters and
some groups that historically vote Democrat.

Americans Overwhelmingly Agree With President Bush: Social Security Reform Is
Needed. In any debate or discussion, the first question that needs to be
answered is whether or not there is a problem. According to a recent CNN/Gallup
poll (Feb 4-6), 72% of Americans think Social Security faces a crisis or has
major problems. A Washington Post/Kaiser Foundation/Harvard University poll (Feb
3-6) found that 73% believed the same and in a recent Harris Poll, 89% of the
public supports reforms to the Social Security system. As the President has
begun talking to the public about this first question of whether or not there is
a problem and reform is needed, we see in poll after poll, the answer is a
resounding "yes".

Personal Retirement Accounts (PRAs) Are Popular With The GOP Voters, Swing
Voters And Young Voters. The next question is whether there is public support
for the President's plan. According to the Tarrance/Public Opinion Strategies
poll (Jan 11-13), Americans favor voluntary personal retirement accounts by 57%
to 39%. Among Republicans and ticket splitters the numbers are even larger. 85%
of Republicans support the President's PRA proposal (60% strongly support),
including 77% of Republicans 55 and over. Furthermore, 68% of Republicans
believe PRAs would strengthen Social Security, including 64% of Republicans over
55. According to a Voter Consumer Research poll (Jan 23-25), widespread support
is seen among traditional swing voters and non-Republicans.




Favor PRAs


Oppose PRAs


Diff (+/-)

18-24 voters


77%


21%


56%

26-45 voters


73%


26%


47%

Hispanic


70%


30%


40%

Married, Working White women


67%


29%


38%

Frequent Church goers


65%


32%


33%

Trade Union Members


63%


32%


31%

Working White women


64%


33%


31%

Catholics


62%


35%


27%

African-American


62%


36%


26%

Protestants


62%


36%


26%

Non-Married Working White Women


61%


39%


22%

Independent Female


58%


40%


18%

White Union Members


55%


39%


16%

Turning Out Our Base Will Be Critical To Success In 2006. These findings are
particularly significant as we enter into the 2006 election cycle. While 59% of
eligible adults turned out in 2004, turnout in 2006 is likely to be about half
that number. With lower overall turnout, off-year elections are more impacted by
base motivation than Presidential year elections. Republicans win in off year
elections when our base is motivated. In 1994, we won control of the House for
the first time in 40 years in part because conservatives increased their
participation in the electorate from 30% to 37% from 1992. Similarly, in 2002,
Republicans increased their proportion of the electorate from 36% in 2000 to
39%, while Democrat turnout declined from 39% to 35%. Both 1994 and 2002 were
successful, in significant part, because our base was motivated and turned out
in higher numbers.



OK John here is a copy of the WHOLE memo I got.
Strategy memo MEMORANDUM TO REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

FROM: Chairman Ken Mehlman
Latest Trends in the Social Security Debate
DATE: March 22, 2005

As the President and Congress have debated Social Security reform over
the past couple of months, certain trends have emerged. Americans have
learned more about the problems facing the current system, and thus, are
more likely to recognize the need for changes in the future, including
Personal Retirement Accounts. The following points are clear:

First, more people have come to understand the structural problems
facing Social Security's solvency over the last two months, and thus,
the issue has become more important to them. The latest Gallup poll
shows that Americans think Social Security is now the most important
domestic issue. At 12%, Social Security has increased by 8% since
January and is a greater concern than the economy (10%), health care
(9%), or terrorism (9%).

The increased importance of Social Security is confirmed by several
other polls. This week's Battleground 2006 poll found Social Security
(17%) as the "number one problem for the President and Congress to deal
with." Also a recent Harris poll found 37% of Americans think Social
Security is the most important issue for the government to address, an
increase of 33% from last October when just 4% thought it was the most
important issue.

Second, more Americans agree that Social Security needs strengthening.
According to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 72% of Americans
think the Social Security system is headed down the road to a crisis or
will require major changes in order to head of a crisis. Even seniors
believe that changes are necessary to Social Security: a recent Ayres
McHenry poll found 66% of Americans over age 55 believe that Social
Security needs changes. A recent Gallup poll even found a majority of
Americans (51%) believe that it is necessary for Congress to pass
legislation to make changes to Social Security this year.

In the past few years, according to polls conducted by the Tarrance
Group, more and more Americans think the Social Security system needs
major changes:

Poll Date Major Changes Modest Changes Minor Adjustment No Change
Tarrance Group 1/10-13/05 53% 31% 12% 1%
Tarrance Group 1/17-21/02 37% 33% 9% 19%
Third, as Americans hear more and more about possible reforms, support
for Personal Retirement Accounts has increased. A recent Gallup survey
found that 58% of Americans believe that Social Security Legislation
should "include a provision that would allow people who retire in future
decades to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock
market and bonds."

Support for Personal Retirement Accounts has increased. According to a
recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, fifty-six percent (56%) of
Americans support allowing workers to invest some of their Social
Security contributions in the stock market, while 41% oppose such an
idea. The number of Americans who support PRAs has increased by a net of
6% since last December, when 53% supported the plan and 44% opposed it.
This is the highest level of support for PRAs since the Post first asked
the question in 2000.

Those eligible for Personal Retirement Accounts see benefits from them.
According to a recent Pew poll, among those eligible for Personal
Retirement Accounts, 56% believe investment would bring higher benefits;
just 12% predict lower benefits and 55% would invest if given choice.
Once PRAs are explained, a majority of Americans support them. According
to the Democracy Corps poll, 40% of Americans support PRAs before they
are explained, while 51% oppose them. However, after a plan for
voluntary personal retirement accounts is explained, support rises to
54%, while 45% remain opposed.

Finally, as Americans follow the Social Security Debate, they trust
President Bush more than Democrats to find a solution. According to
recent polls by the Winston Group and NPR, President leads Democrats on
who offers better ideas and who is working on a bipartisan basis.

Bush Advantage Winston Group NPR
Who is willing to work with both political parties to find a
solution? +16 +18
Is offering the right kind of ideas? +8 +6
Who do you trust to make the right kinds of changes? +7 +8
Americans are realizing that Democrats are opposing Social Security
modernization because they lack their own plans: The Democracy Corps
poll also showed that 50% of Americans believe that Democrats are
opposing President Bush's plans to strengthen Social Security just to
block his agenda, while only 42% believe that they are opposing
President Bush's plan because they have a better way to strengthen
Social Security.




Looks like you were duped by a spinmeister.

Dave