DEFUSED:

Senate to hold mock Social Security debate (GLEN JOHNSON, 4/04/05, The Associated Press)

Two Democrats and two Republicans will square off Tuesday night in a mock debate on the Senate floor, arguing whether — and how, if necessary — the government retirement insurance program should be altered.

The leaders of the parties' respective policy committees, Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., decided to engage in the exercise as a likely precursor to the real thing later this year. The committees previously sponsored a debate on the subject in 2003.

"These debates are an opportunity for us to rise above 30-second sound bites for a true give-and-take on important issues in a way that the Founding Fathers might have envisioned," Kyl said in a statement. "Rather than watching scripted speeches read to a mostly empty chamber, the American people will have a chance to hear strong, but civil, disagreements, and maybe, on occasion, find areas where our parties agree."

Dorgan said separately: "There is no more important domestic issue than ensuring the future of Social Security."

Democrats have tapped Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan to prosecute their case. The Republicans, meanwhile, have selected Sens. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim DeMint of South Carolina.

The debate, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EDT Tuesday, will be broadcast nationally by C-SPAN. It is expected to last about an hour.

It's gone from being the Third Rail of American politics to a topic vulnerables of both parties feel free to discuss.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 4, 2005 8:53 PM