Apr 07, 2010
DAY 47: Why Is Alan Nunnelee Not Answering Mississippi Seniors?
In an interview this weekend, state Senator and congressional candidate Alan Nunnelee (MS-01) “did not offer any specific ideas when asked” about his support for the controversial privatization of Social Security. He previously “steered clear of the specifics” on a controversial Republican budget proposal that includes Social Security privatization in a local television interview 47 days ago and has continued to avoid the issue since.
“Why is Alan Nunnelee so afraid to come clean like his primary opponents have and announce his support for privatizing Social Security?” said Jesse Ferguson, Southern Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “This issue has been debated for years and it’s been 47 days since congressional candidate Nunnelee was asked his position but he still can’t find time to tell Mississippi seniors about his plans for their Social Security. When it comes to a controversial position like this, Nunnelee’s silence is proof enough that he has dangerous ideas that could be harmful to Mississippi seniors like gambling Social Security funds on Wall Street.”
Background
• NOW – Nunnelee Still Silent. This Sunday, state Senator Nunnelee refused to answer an inquiry from the Daily Journal about his support for privatizing Social Security. Both of his primary opponents, Henry Ross and Angela McGlowan, have voiced support. [NEMS Daily Journal, 4/4/10]
• 47 Days Ago – Nunnelee Silent. On February 19, 2010, state Senator Nunnelee “steered clear of the specifics” when asked about the controversial GOP budget proposal that included Social Security privatization by a local television station. [WCBI, 2/19/10]
• House GOP Leader supports privatizing Social Security. In May 2001, now NRCC Chairman Representative Pete Sessions, co-signed a letter to the President’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security urging for privatization. The letter read, “Social Security reform must offer younger workers the opportunity to improve their rates of return using personal retirement accounts.” [Rep. Jim DeMint Letter to The Social Security Reform Commission, 5/24/01]
o Alan Nunnelee is a part of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s list of “Contenders” in their Young Gun candidate program. [NRCC]
• The plan, introduced by ranking Republican budget committee member, Representative Paul Ryan, returns to the Bush-era concept of privatizing Social Security in Wall Street accounts. [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/10/10] In 2005, President Bush went on a 60 stops in 60 days Social Security tour, following him outlining the details of his private account plan in his February State of the Union Address. [Washington Post, 4/27/05]
###
Want the latest updates? Follow the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter:
