If Democrats stick together, we
can win.
[Bush:] In the long run, there's two big issues looming that are budgetary issues, one, and these are the unfunded liabilities inherent in the mandatory programs of Social Security and Medicare. And, as you know, I've advocated the need for people to come together to address the Social Security issue. It's an issue that's not going to go away.
And I'll continue to talk about it. There seems to be a diminished appetite in the short term.
This is as official a conceession speech as you'll get from this president. It's over. It's no coincidence that Bush's poll numbers began to fall when Democrats united on social security and spoke with one unified voice. It was a thing of beauty.
More of that, and we'll be on to something.
As for social security, Bush is welcome to keep talking about it. I'm sure House and Senate Republicans can't wait for their president to drag them down even lower.