RNC: Friday Facts

Republican National Committee ^ | February 25, 2005

[RWR8189]

Congressional Town Halls Elevating Social Security Discussion, Economic Indicators Reach Historic Thresholds And President Bush Makes Historic Trip ________________________________________________________________________________  

Congressional Town Hall Meetings Elicit Praise For President Bush's Efforts To Strengthen Social Security:

 

The President's Positive Message Changes Perceptions On Social Security During Town Hall Events:

 

• Pennsylvania Kerry Voter Jennifer Claus Converted On Social Security After Hearing Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) Speak: "I liked his idea of ownership... I was very pleased by the presentation. ... I feel the current system is stable, but if you do look at the number of people coming into the program and the number of the people providing for it, the ratio really isn't there to support it long term." (Maeve Reston, "Santorum Finds Many Minds Made Up On Social Security," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/22/05)

• Ed Schrank Of Edgerton, WI Said "Ryan Had The Better Proposal" To Strengthen Social Security After Visiting Town Hall Events Of Reps. Paul Ryan (R-WI) And Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). "'The problem is real,' Ed said, 'because Congress spends more money than it receives in taxes other than Social Security, then raids Social Security and passes the debt off to future generations'. ... 'In the scope of trying to get something done, Ryan had the better proposal.'" (Mike DuPre', "Disparate Social Security Plans From Politicians Worry Residents," The Janesville Gazette, 2/23/05)

• Newton, IA Resident Said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Provided "Real Good" Answers On Social Security.  "Larry Ballard of Newton, who is getting Social Security disability benefits and was the first to question Grassley, the senator provided 'real good' answers.  'I wanted to know if Social Security will be continuing and wanted to know if it will be in good hands like it was years ago.'" (Kay Henderson, "In Iowa, A Senator Pitches Social Security Changes," Reuters, 2/23/05)

Economic Indicators Reach Historic Thresholds:

 

The Adjusted GDP Number Is "At The Higher End Of Forecasts." (Greg Robb, "U.S. Q4 GDP Revised Up To 3.8% Annual Growth Rate," CBSMarketwatch.com, 2/25/05)

 

·        "For 2004, Real GDP Growth ... Was At A 4.4 Percent Rate - The Strongest Growth In 5 Years And One Of The Strongest Growth Rates Of The Past 20 Years."  (Committee On The Budget, U.S. House Of Representatives, Press Release, 2/25/05)

 

·        January's Growth Rate Revised Upward. "The U.S. economy grew at a 3.8 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, stronger than the 3.1 percent estimated a month ago." (Greg Robb, "U.S. Q4 GDP Revised Up To 3.8% Annual Growth Rate," CBSMarketwatch.com, 2/25/05)

 

·        U.S. Export Sales Projected To Increase. "The biggest revision came in the estimate for U.S. exports in the fourth quarter. Exports of U.S.-made goods and services rose 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with the initial estimate of a 3.9 percent drop. ... Final sales of U.S.-made goods and services increased at a 3.2 percent annualized clip, up from the initial estimate of a 2.7 percent increase." (Greg Robb, "U.S. Q4 GDP Revised Up To 3.8% Annual Growth Rate," CBSMarketwatch.com, 2/25/05)

 

"Housing Starts In The U.S. Unexpectedly Rose To A 21-Year High In January." ("U.S. Residential Construction Hits 21-Year High," Broward Daily Business Review, 2/17/05)

 

·        Defying Predictions, New Construction Increases. "The 4.7 percent increase in new construction to 2.159 million housing units at an annual rate followed a revised gain of 14.3 percent the month before. A median forecast of 66 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a decline to 1.925 million. Wednesday's number exceeded every estimate." ("U.S. Residential Construction Hits 21-Year High," Broward Daily Bu siness Review, 2/17/05)

 

·        For Home Sales, "2004 The Best Year Ever."  "[P]ayroll growth along with mortgage rates averaging less than 6 percent last year fueled demand, making 2004 the best year for home sales ever and the best for new residential construction since 1978." ("U.S. Residential Construction Hits 21-Year High," Broward D aily Business Review, 2/17/05)

 

Manufacturing Sector: "Orders For Core Capital Goods Increased 2.9 Percent In January After A 3.3 Percent Gain In December."  "'Durable goods manufacturers should be dancing a jig,' said Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics." (Greg Robb, "U.S. Q4 GDP Revised Up To 3.8% Annual Growth Rate," CBSMarketwatch.com, 2/25/05)

 

President Bush's Successful European Tour:

 

The Wall Street Journal:  "Visits By U.S. Presidents To Europe Tend To Have A Template-Making Quality ... If President Bush's Trip This Week Has Some Kind Of New Theme, The Word For It Is Probably Conciliation. But Our Sense Is That Mr. Bush Is Really Following In Reagan's Footsteps."  (Editorial, "In Reagan's Footsteps," The Wall Street Journal, 2/25/05)

 

• "Probably The Most Important Component Is That President Bush's Vision Of Spreading Democracy ... Seems Not Only To Be Working But Also Winning Some Unexpected Converts." (Editorial, "In Reagan's Footsteps," The Wall Street Journal, 2/25/05)

 

President Bush "Stopped At The American Military Base As Part Of A  Five Day Trip" And Spoke To Military Personnel, "Many Recently Returned From Tours Of Duty In Iraq." (Tom Raum, "Bush Defends War In Iraq While In Europe,"  The Associated Press, 2/23/05)

  President Bush Praises The Troops And The Democratic Effort in Iraq: "'Your challenges were unprecedented, and so was the outcome ... More than 8 million Iraqi voters defied the terrorists by lining up at the polls, dipping their fingers in ink and casting the first free vote of their lives.'" (Tom Raum, "Bush Defends War In Iraq  While In Europe,"  The Associated Press, 2/23/05)