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In a two-page rebuttal, the Republican Party said the AARP's survey relied on slanted wording, misleading questions and an unrepresentative sample of the nation as a whole to come up with its findings. "Nonetheless, the survey still reveals overwhelming concern about Social Security and support for finding a solution now," the GOP added.

An AARP official, research director Jeff Love, said the poll "adheres to the highest standards of public polling." The organization opposes Bush's proposal.

Bush has called on Congress to enact legislation that will put Social Security on a stronger financial footing and include personal accounts as part of the measure. To help reduce costs over the long run, administration officials have told allies they are considering a plan that would give future retirees lower benefits than they are now promised.

The Republican National Committee is heavily involved in the battle to shape public opinion on the issue, which Bush has placed atop his domestic legislative agenda. Senate Republicans signaled their intention to follow his lead when they designated Social Security as bill No. 1 for the next two years.

Critics

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other critics argue that Bush's overall proposals would jeopardize the future of Social Security, and House Democrats have made clear their intention to campaign against GOP lawmakers who follow Bush's lead.

"This is no crisis, so why should we be lurching forward?" Reid said.

Private organizations frequently commission public opinion polls as part of a legislative battle.

The AARP, which claims 35 million members age 50 and over, opposes Bush's call to allow younger workers to invest a portion of their payroll taxes in personal accounts. The organization carries unquestioned clout among older Americans. Two years ago, the White House and Congressional Republicans successfully enlisted its support for hotly contested legislation to remake Medicare.

Democrats reacted angrily to the AARP's support of that bill _ but this time it's the president's allies who are expressing unhappiness.

"While the president and members of Congress are starting a dialogue on how to secure Social Security for future generations, it's unfortunate that a third-party group would look to muddy the debate with a survey laden with half-truths and significant methodological flaws," said Brian Jones, a spokesman for the Republican Party.

John McLaughlin, a Republican pollster, said the AARP survey was "skewed by age and skewed by politics," and that the repeated use of the term "private accounts" results in a drop-off in support for Bush's proposals.

AARP said its survey showed the public does not believe that "private accounts are going to help resolve any shortfalls Social Security might face in the future. Our findings also suggest that when exposed to the possible consequences associated with private accounts, the percentage who initially favor private accounts decreased precipitously. "

Specifically, it said that 43 percent of those surveyed initially said they "favored private accounts and 47 percent opposed them." AARP said support dropped when those polled were told that the consequences of the change might include a lower Social Security benefit in retirement, ban withdrawals prior to retirement, require a new government agency to administer the program, require an additional $1 trillion to maintain the benefits for current Social Security recipients.

As an example of an alleged flaw in its study, the GOP said that AARP found that those age 30 and older held a favorable view of Social Security. "Yet other surveys have shown those under 55 holding a decidedly unfavorable view," the GOP said.

The difference could be significant, since anyone who holds an unfavorable view of Social Security might be more open to a large change than an individual who is generally satisfied with the program.

Love said the survey samples "reflect exactly the 30-plus population in this country" and the breakdown by party is in keeping with the most recent U.S. Census data.

As for the use of the term "private accounts," he said, "that's the phrase we've always used. It's a descriptive phrase. I don't think it has any derogatory or pejorative meaning to it. "

© 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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