Mr. Bush's Social Security Pitch

In the first State of the Union address of his second term, President Bush laid out an ambitious agenda, including an overhaul of Social Security and continued efforts to spread democracy in the Middle East.

He challenged Congress to take political risks "to strengthen and save Social Security," warning that the government's costliest social program was headed for bankruptcy unless changed.

Hoping to capitalize on the momentum of the speech, Mr. Bush leaves Thursday on a five-state, two-day trip to North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Arkansas and Florida to rally support for his Social Security plan.

The trip is aimed particularly at bringing pressure to bear on Senate Democrats — because without at least some of them, his reform doesn't have a chance, reports CBS News Correspondent Bill Plante.

Democrats vehemently oppose Mr. Bush's proposal to divert Social Security taxes into private investment accounts, a plan that offers the possibility of higher returns as well as risks from the stock market and almost certainly a cut in guaranteed benefits.

The issue of benefits cuts was addressed directly by Mr. Bush in his Wednesday night speech to Congress and the nation.

"I have a message for every American who is 55 or older: Do not let anyone mislead you. For you, the Social Security system will not change in any way," Mr. Bush promised.

Mr. Bush pledged to work with lawmakers "to find the most effective combination" of revisions, although he has ruled out some remedies such as raising Social Security taxes.

"One of American's most important institutions - a symbol of trust between generations - is also in need of wise and effective reform," the president said.

Immediately after the speech, CBS News polled a scientific sample of viewers who gave their answers over an Internet connection. The poll found an overwhelming majority, 80 percent, said they approved of the president's proposals. But most of those polled, 59 percent, said they didn't think he would be able to achieve his goals; 41 percent said he would achieve them.

Some 56% of viewers who watched the speech said it was a good idea to allow individuals to invest part of their Social Security funds on their own. When interviewed last week, 44% of these same watchers had said it seemed like a good idea.

When these viewers were asked if they would still support the idea if it meant guaranteed benefits would be reduced under the plan, the number who said it was a good idea dropped to 42%.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, in the Democratic response to Mr. Bush's speech, said the president's Social Security plan sounds more like "Social Security roulette" than reform.

"It's wrong to replace the guaranteed benefit that Americans have earned with a guaranteed benefit cut of 40 percent or more," Reid, D-Nev., said.

The speech did build confidence among watchers that Mr. Bush would make sure Social Security would be there for them. After the speech, 65% said Mr. Bush is likely to, while before the speech, fewer watchers, 54% said he was likely to.

Transforming Social Security is a political gamble for Mr. Bush and for Republican allies wary of taking big political risks. While Mr. Bush cannot run for another term, most GOP lawmakers face re-election next year and are nervous about tampering with a system that Americans like and see no immediate need to overhaul.

Democrats, on the other hand, run the risk of appearing obstructionist if they simply oppose all of the president's plans.

Under Mr. Bush's Social Security plan, workers would be allowed to divert up to two-thirds of their payroll taxes into private investment accounts, according to a Social Security expert who was briefed on the plan Wednesday. Contributions would be capped at $1,000 per year, rising each year by $100. Social Security's guaranteed benefits would be reduced to make up for money diverted to the private accounts.

Republicans repeatedly jumped to their feet, cheering and applauding during Mr. Bush's speech. Democrats scowled in their seats, some protesting out loud as the president rattled off new details of his agenda.

"At a couple of points in this address it looked more like the British Parliament than the U.S. Congress," said CBS News Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts. When he said Social Security would expire in 2042, you heard Democrats shouting, 'No.'"

On the international front, Mr. Bush said last Sunday's election in Iraq "opens a new phase in our work in that country. We will increasingly focus our efforts on helping prepare more capable Iraqi security forces – forces with skilled officers, and an effective command structure."

Despite Democrats' criticism, he offered no hint of a timetable for a troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Mr. Bush accused Syria of allowing its territory and parts of Lebanon to be used by terrorists, and said he expected Syria "to end all support for terror and open the door to freedom."

And Mr. Bush accused Iran of being "the world's primary state sponsor of terror," and said Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons while depriving its people of the freedom they seek and deserve.

The president also said he would seek $350 million to support political, economic and social reforms for the Palestinians.

"The goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, is within reach, and America will help them achieve that goal," he said.

With the United States spending more than $1 billion a week in Iraq, Mr. Bush urged Congress to support his request for an additional $80 billion. "During this time of war we must continue to support our military and give them the tools for victory," he said.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to using diplomacy to deter the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran.

More than two dozen guests were invited to sit in the first lady's box with Laura Bush, including women who voted in the recent Iraqi and Afghan elections, relatives of fallen U.S. troops and a pilot helping tsunami victims.

Two guests, a former doctor and her patient, were chosen to illustrate Mr. Bush's call for capping awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. Another guest is a small business owner who says he was driven into bankruptcy by asbestos litigation.

Emboldened by his re-election, Mr. Bush also called on lawmakers to move on several controversial fronts, including changing the nation's immigration laws, imposing limits on medical malpractice lawsuits and simplifying taxes.