The term surplus means the remaining excess of Social Security tax receipts after all Social Security benefits have been paid. But, after all benefits have been paid . Then, Bush needs to look straight into the camera and tell the American people that he guarantees the payment of all Social Security benefits under current law. Just as he guarantees the payment of all Medicare benefits. Bush could conclude by reminding people that Democrats always pull this fearmongering at the tail end of elections.
Democrats are opposed to reform.
Democrats always favor the big government status quo. After eight years in office, the Clinton-Gore administration failed to reform Social Security, and they'd rather substitute fear for problem solving. This sort of ad would combine popular policy reform with character, honesty, and integrity. More than any recent politician, George Bush can look the country right in the eye and make a believable promise. But he has to do it.