Earlier today, we looked at the bullshit ad by Blanche Lincoln loyalists claiming Bill Halter wanted to privatize social security when in charge of the Social Security Administration.
Turns out that he didn't. In fact, the plan referenced by the ad was President Bill Clinton's, and it was a plan supported by Blanche Lincoln.
But digging around, it's even worse for Blanche Lincoln.
PREPARED STATEMENT OF SENATOR BLANCHE LINCOLN BEFORE THE SENATE AGING COMMITTEE SUBJECT - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (MARCH 1, 1999)
[...] "This is an historic moment in our nation's history. We are finally running a surplus and can devote much of this surplus to shoring up Social Security. While politicians in both parties may agree on the concept of using the majority of the surplus to save Social Security, you can be assured that there will be "lively debate" over what
changes must be made to keep the system solvent.
"Tough choices will have to be made. Do we raise the retirement age? Do we raise payroll taxes? Do we slow the growth of benefits? Do we allow individuals to invest a portion of their Social Security fund in individual accounts? [...]
"I'm eager to hear from our witnesses about the many proposals that have been floating around. I want to thank them in advance for coming here today and stimulating the great debate on Social Security."
Choices? Real Democrats completely ruled out privatizing social security. The idea had zero merit, and would've been an abject disaster had Republicans had their way. Yet Blanche was happy to put it on her menu of options.
So to recap, Lincolns' corporatist allies run ad accusing Halter of wanting to privatize social security, when in fact it was a plan by Bill Clinton to invest part of the surplus in the stock market -- a plan supported by Blanche Lincoln. Furthermore, while Bill Halter completely opposed any efforts to allow individuals to invest part of their social security funds in the market, Blanche Lincoln was giving the idea credence in the Senate.
Once again, it's clear that if Lincoln's allies are this outraged at the notion of privatizing social security, they should be running those ads against Blanche Lincoln. They certainly hit the wrong target.
