ANNALS OF THE STUPID PARTY, #462:

Republican Touches Third Rail--and Lives! (JASON RILEY, October 12, 2002, Wall Street Journal)

This election season, Social Security reform is the Republicans' Iraq. It's a topic they'd rather not discuss until Nov. 6, if they can get away with it. That's too bad, says Rep. Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican who's made Social Security, along with tax cuts and fiscal restraint, a conspicuous issue in his re-election bid.

And yes, he's winning. [...]

Voters don't want leaders who duck the tough issues, he says. "I think my Republican colleagues make a huge mistake. When we run on ideas, we usually win."

If you've ever wondered why Republicans are the Stupid Party, look no further than Social Security privatization. Here's an issue, like the Iraq war, which Democrats have made the centerpiece of their campaign, even though significant majorities of the American people agree with the Republican position. Like Iraq, the GOP should cram it down their throats.
Posted by Orrin Judd at October 12, 2002 2:21 PM