Benefits poll finds hesitance

WASHINGTON – In a sign of the intensifying battle over Social Security, the AARP released a nationwide poll Monday indicating deep public skepticism about President Bush’s plan for personal accounts. The Republican Party immediately criticized the study as flawed.

“Approximately four in 10 respondents initially favored private accounts,” the seniors’ organization said in a summary of its findings. “However, those who initially favored private accounts dropped off substantially once they were exposed to any of the consequences associated with implementation of private accounts.”

In a two-page rebuttal, the Republican Party said the AARP’s survey relied on slanted wording, misleading questions and an unrepresentative sample of the nation as a whole to come up with its findings. “Nonetheless, the survey still reveals overwhelming concern about Social Security and support for finding a solution now,” the GOP added.

AARP research director Jeff Love said the poll “adheres to the highest standards of public polling.” The group opposes Bush’s proposal.

Bush has called on Congress to enact legislation that will put Social Security on a stronger financial footing and include personal accounts as part of the measure. To help reduce costs over the long run, administration officials have told allies they are considering a plan that would give future retirees lower benefits than they are now promised.

The Republican National Committee is involved in the battle to shape public opinion on the issue, which Bush has placed atop his domestic legislative agenda.