Bush stumps in Columbia

COLUMBIA -- Members of the Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation might try to avoid Rep. Bob Walker for a few days.

They aren't angry with Walker. It's just that President Bush singled out Walker for some good-natured ribbing during his 30-minute speech Monday afternoon at the Statehouse, and Walker's fellow legislators might find it tough to live with him for a while.

"We won't be able to talk to Bob for six months," said Rep. Ralph Davenport, R-Boiling Springs.

Of course, Walker might find it difficult to get along with Davenport and Rep. Lanny Littlejohn, R-Pacolet. They were members of the group that escorted Bush into the House chamber and sat on the podium while he spoke.

"I'm proud for Ralph and Lanny," said Walker, R-Landrum. "It's an honor to have two people from Spartanburg County on the escort committee."

Bush visited Columbia as part of his 60-stop tour to push his plan to overhaul Social Security. He chose an extremely friendly audience -- the Republican-dominated General Assembly and select members of their Republican-dominated families.

"I've been traveling this country taking the message to the people," Bush said. "More and more Americans are listening, and I'm just getting started."

Bush said that the math for Social Security was rapidly changing. In 1950 there were 16 workers for every Social Security recipient, he said, and today the ratio is 3.3 workers per recipient.

His plan, which includes allowing workers to put part of their Social Security taxes into private investment accounts, will preserve the system for future generations, he said. The private accounts would offer a conservative mix of stocks and bonds and would provide a higher return, he said.

"Today we have an opportunity to offer younger Americans a better deal than the current system," Bush said. "Today we can give every American the chance to tap into the power of compound interest, so they can get a higher rate of return on their money than the current system allows."

Bush said young people are comfortable investing in the market, as evidenced by the number of workers who save for retirement through 401(k) programs. He drew a laugh when he said that Walker was "old enough to be around when they didn't have 401(k)s or IRAs."

With a potential crisis looming, Bush said, it's important to act now. He said he's confident Congress will do that.

"And when they do, our children and grandchildren will one day look back and be grateful that our generation made the difficult choices and the necessary choices to renew the great promise of the Social Security system for the 21st century," he said.

Gov. Mark Sanford, who during his six years in Congress proposed private investment accounts for Social Security, said Bush was showing great leadership by taking the lead on the issue.

"It's an important message and a timely message," Sanford said. "It's particularly timely given that 60 million Baby Boomers are marching toward retirement. The numbers are compelling, and the politics are less than compelling. It's important that the numbers drive the debate."

Sen. Glenn Reese, D-Spartanburg, was more skeptical. He said he doesn't believe Bush is serious about Social Security reform.

"If he was serious he'd stop spending the money in the (Social Security) trust fund immediately," Reese said. "He's the biggest spender I ever saw."

Legislators were in a festive mood for Bush's visit -- House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, even sported a tie imprinted with hundreds of tiny "Ws" on it. As Bush exited the chamber, lawmakers clamored for his autograph and stopped to have their photo taken with him.

One of those was Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia. Rutherford wrapped his arm around the president's shoulder and smiled broadly as someone snapped a picture of him with his camera phone.

"I told Speaker Wilkins I probably wouldn't make it through security," Rutherford said. "I had to get a photo to prove I was here."

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.

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GERALD HERBERT
House Speaker David Wilkins, left, and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, right, welcome President Bush to the Statehouse in Columbia, where legislators on Monday heard Bush expound on his call for Social Security reform. Bush had been expected to make an announcement about a possible appointment for Wilkins, R-Greenville. But no mention was made during his speech.

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