Reaction mixed for delegates from Maine

WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush’s State of the Union speech, which focused largely on the debate over the future of Social Security, drew mixed reactions from the Maine congressional delegation Wednesday night, but all agreed on the need for a close look at the program to ensure its future.

Bush’s plans to allow future Social Security retirees to divert some of their payroll taxes to personal retirement accounts have come under fire from many Democrats, including Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud.

Social Security is not in crisis and will not be as long as Americans continue to work, Allen said. Michaud agreed and said the crisis is with the federal budget deficit.

“It was this administration that put us in crisis, and I definitely think it’s time to get this crisis in order,” Michaud said.

“Social Security isn’t bankrupt. Social Security isn’t exhausted,” Allen told The Associated Press. “It can be fixed with relatively modest changes.”

Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she was pleased the president made it clear that Social Security will remain in place for today’s senior citizens, many of whom have voiced concern about their futures.

“That reassurance was really needed, and I was glad he made it so explicit,” Collins said.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican who has been a vocal opponent of Bush’s Social Security plan, said she was pleased the president discussed the issue in his address.

“The president indicated there is a long-term problem, and I believe that strengthening the system will require an open and exhaustive review of the level of the urgency of the issue and how best to move forward,” Snowe said in a statement.

Michaud said he was glad Bush acknowledged the need to care for injured soldiers when they return from Iraq, but spending cuts will make that goal difficult.

“Sitting on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, all I’ve seen is cuts to the Veterans Administration,” he said.