THE BIG QUESTION, Jan. 9: Obama & Social Security

The Big Question is a feature where influential lawmakers, pundits and interest group leaders give their answers to a question that’s driving discussion in news circles around the country.

Today’s Big Question is:

Obama says he wants to reform Medicare and Social Security–will he have more success with Social Security than Bush did?

See responses below from Ron Bonjean, Americans United for Change President Brad Woodhouse and Cato’s Michael D. Tanner.

See the last Big Question here.

Ron Bonjean, president, The Bonjean Company said:

The stimulus package will most likely be the largest piece of spending requiring much of Obama’s political capital during the first few years of his administration. In addition, he has declared energy, climate change and health care reform as top priorities. Therefore, it will be unlikely that he will be able to tackle this enormous task.

Brad Woodhouse, president, Americans United for Change said:

Obama will almost certainly have more success dealing with Social Security and Medicare because, like the vast majority of Americans and members of Congress, Obama wants to preserve these vital programs for the long haul while President Bush and his conservative allies worked to undermine them through his policies. Read the full response

Michael D. Tanner, Senior Fellow, The Cato Institute said:

Give Barack Obama half a point for courage. By warning that Social Security and Medicare are ticking fiscal time bombs, the president-elect took on one of his party’s most prized shibboleths–the idea that there is nothing wrong with those programs that repealing the Bush tax cuts won’t fix. Read the full response