Although I don't think he ever used the term "privatize," Bush certainly gave the impression--during both campaigns, that he was going to dramatically overhaul social security. Then, after he was re-elected, he made a half-hearted, crap effort to create optional private accounts, and then as soon as he caught some flak, he shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Pathetic.
Bush walked away because he got smart enough to do so while there was still time. He had his foot inches from the third rail and was smart enough not to touch it.
If he had persisted, he would have flat out ruined whatever was left of his second term early on.
Fearless prediction: any politician, especially a REPUBLICAN politician, who runs on the promise that he will "reform", "fix", "restructure", or do ANYthing else with Social Security (until the system actually begins to fail and EVERYone, including the 'rats, can no longer deny that), ain't gonna last long.
That's the reality of politics. It might be wrong - but it's definitely real.
Dubya, regarding all his other faults, got wise to sense that one!
- John