The President Calls -- Before Dealing the Cards

President Bush says there'll be political fallout for Congressional types who don't come up with plans to save Social Security. Speaking in Iowa the President challenged Democrats and other critics of his privatized Social Security accounts.

"If you've got a good idea, we expect you to be at the table. I expect you to bring it forward, but more importantly, the American people expect you to bring it forward. We want to listen to good ideas."

The President, meanwhile, says he won't reveal his plans to "save" Social Security until someone else shows their cards.

He's admitted repeatedly his privatized accounts will do nothing to shore up Social Security's funding.

Most economists figure Washington will have to either cut benefits or raise taxes to accomplish that. So expect this political poker stand-off to last a while. (LAT)