Newswire - Massachusetts Democrats blast Bush's address, plan for Social Security

By Brittany Lawonn

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- As the double doors swung open, the gavel pounded three times and the Doorkeeper's booming voice rang out that all-familiar phrase, the House of
Representatives floor fell silent, the chit-chat and commotion stopped and all
rose from their seats, turning their heads to the door.

"Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States."

And in walked the reelected Texan.

Applause from Cabinet members, representatives, senators and guests filled the gallery as President George W. Bush made his way down the aisle, shaking hands along the way.

While President Bill Clinton began his 1997 State of the Union address by
thanking the voters for "inviting [him] back," Bush jumped immediately into
his agenda.

Bush's speech, the result of 17 drafts, focused on international issues and
domestic issues. Social Security dominated the first half of this year's
speech, taking up 14 paragraphs compared to the two sentences in last year's
address.

The president promised to work with members of Congress "to find the most
effective combination of reforms" for the 70-year-old system that is "headed
toward bankruptcy," asking for an "open, candid review of the options."

But Democrats in the audience hissed Bush's plan, shouting out "No" and
refusing to stand.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, whose entrance to his third row seat was slowed
by constant hand-shaking with some leaning over the aisles to grasp his hand,
chided Bush for calling Social Security a problem.

"The best way to begin genuine bipartisanship to make America stronger is to
work together on the real crises facing our country, not to manufacture an
artificial crisis to serve a special interest agenda out of touch with the
needs of Americans," Kerry said in a statement released after the speech.

Kerry went on to add that "the problems facing Social Security 50 years down
the road can be fixed tomorrow if Washington ends the borrow-and-spend policies that are running up a record debt and dumping it on the backs of our children."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy also voiced disagreement with Bush's Social Security
plan, warning Americans to take heed of the president's words.

"Tonight, the president again promises to pay down the debt and balance the
budget, yet his plans to privatize Social Security will add $2 trillion to the
mounting national debt," Kennedy said in a statement released after the
speech. "Now more than ever, America must listen not only to the president's
words, but beware of his deeds."

Massachusetts Rep. Marty Meehan also expressed concern about Bush's agenda,
declaring Americans do not have confidence in the president to handle Social
Security.

"President Bush's Social Security plan landed in Congress with a thud tonight," Rep. Meehan said in a statement released after the speech. "The American people don't want to undermine Social Security. They don't see a need to do it. And they don't trust President Bush on the issue."

Bush received numerous standing ovations and bursts of applause, the longest
coming at the mention of Iraqi casualties and elections.

Several attendees showed support for Sunday's elections in Iraq, hoisting up
fingers dipped in purple ink, the symbol Iraqis used during the elections for
proof that they had voted.

One of First Lady Laura Bush's special guests, Safia Taleb al-Sunhail, an Iraqi woman who had voted in Sunday's election thrust her hand up with a peace sign when the election was mentioned. She would later embrace Janet Norwood, the mother of Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood who was killed in Fallujah.

The First Lady also was joined by a voter from Afghanistan as well as numerous
other guests including two from Massachusetts. Nancy Connolly of Littleton and
Will Dunn of Dorchester were seated behind her representing small businesses
and outreach workers.

President Ronald Reagan began the tradition of inviting distinguished citizens
and guests during his eight years in the White House.

Last year the First Lady was joined by New England Patriots quarterback Tom
Brady.