Washington

Bush cites gains on Social Security push

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Saturday that national discussion of his plan to overhaul Social Security was making progress and asked Americans for help in swaying reluctant members of Congress. He promised to listen to "any good idea" for fixing the retirement system and said he was eager to move ahead on one of his top domestic priorities after his five-day trip to Europe and a congressional recess. Despite appearances in nine states and a month of lobbying, Bush, who bases his call for remaking the 70-year-old Social Security program on his contention it will go broke in current form, acknowledged that lawmakers still needed to be convinced. "I am pleased with the progress of the national discussion on this issue," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Some in Washington want to deny that Social Security has a problem, but the American people know better, and you have the power to determine the outcome of this debate." Democrats have accused Bush of hyping Social Security's problems to build a case for revamping the system. Even some of his Republican allies are squeamish about politically sensitive ideas like reducing future benefit growth or limiting benefits for wealthy retirees. The centerpiece of his plan is a proposal to allow workers to set up private accounts that could be invested in stocks and bonds. That idea is controversial, in part because it would involve billions of dollars in transition costs as the government tried to make up the difference between payroll taxes that are shifted into the accounts and those needed to pay benefits of current retirees. "I'm willing to listen to any good idea, and I will work in good faith with members of Congress from both parties," he said. "If you make clear that you expect your leaders to confront problems head on, not pass them on to future generations, I am confident that we will put aside partisan politics in Washington." Democrats plan travel of their own to counter Bush. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and others will hold events in a number of cities early next month.