Christie to Take on Social Security Costs; Risky Move Could Help Him Stand Out
In a high-risk move that could boost his visibility in the crowded field of would-be presidential contenders, Governor Christie will present a detailed proposal in New Hampshire next week to reform Social Security, Medicare and other benefits, his political team announced Wednesday. Christie used a speech at a similar point in the presidential selection process four years ago to call for increasing the retirement age for Social Security and cutting costs for Medicare and Medicaid. Speaking at a Washington think tank, Christie said President Obama, Republicans in Congress and 2012 presidential candidates needed to address the issues, and he mocked the prevailing notion that entitlements are a political “third rail” that kills those who touch them. Since then, however, Christie has not said what changes he would support, or even how high he would raise the Social Security retirement age beyond 67, the point it is gradually increasing to as a result of a bipartisan reform law passed in 1983. Read more…