If you can't beat 'em, threaten 'em.

So. The prez has spent a few weeks trying to get the public behind his plan to "fix" Social Security by increasing the deficit a few trillion dollars. Except that the public only gives him a 35% approval rating on the issue-- the lowest since he took office (and I mean took office). So it looks like a bust, right? Hardly. The admin has decided on a new tactic. From the WaPo:

"White House officials are telling Republican lawmakers and allies on K Street that they must begin to overcome opposition to President Bush's proposal for changing Social Security within six weeks, GOP strategists said yesterday.

The GOP strategists stressed that the six-week goal is not a hard deadline for a political breakthrough, but they said the public's tepid view of Social Security change cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. "

Doesn't this sound more like the mob's conflict resolution plan than a democratic government's? Making nicey-nice didn't pan out, so it's time to break ya fingahs.