GOP reps targeted on Bush plan
BY J. JIONI PALMER
WASHINGTON BUREAU
February 23, 2005
New York Republicans such as Reps. Peter King (Seaford) and Vito Fossella (Staten Island) find themselves in the crosshairs of local activists bent on forcing them into signing a pledge opposing the Bush administration's plan to partially privatize Social Security.
The push to get so-called Blue State Republicans - GOP lawmakers from states like New York that lean Democratic - to break with the president comes at a time of national debate over how to reshape the retirement benefits program.
"We're asking this of every member of the New York delegation," said Alex Navarro, communication director of the Working Families Party, which is helping coordinate the campaign.
Besides committing signatories to opposing privatizing Social Security in principle, the four-point pledge specifically forbids tinkering with the program in ways that would reduce retirement benefits, raise the retirement age or increase the federal deficit.
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