SIREN - WSJ 1-col. lead, "Key Seniors Association Pivots on Benefit Cut," by Laura Meckler: "AARP ... is dropping its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits, a move that could rock Washington's debate over how to revamp the nation's entitlement programs. The decision, which AARP hasn't discussed publicly, came after a wrenching debate inside the organization. In 2005, the last time Social Security was debated, AARP led the effort to kill President George W. Bush's plan for partial privatization. AARP now has concluded that change is inevitable, and it wants to be at the table to try to minimize the pain. 'The ship was sailing. I wanted to be at the wheel when that happens,' said John Rother, AARP's long-time policy chief and a prime mover behind its change of heart.
"The shift, which has been vetted by AARP's board and is now the group's stance, could have a dramatic effect on the debate surrounding the future of the federal safety net, from pensions to health care ... 'If they come around and say they're ready to do something, it will be like the Arctic icecap cracking,' said former Sen. Alan Simpson, co-chairman of a White House commission on the deficit. ... AARP runs the risk of alienating both its liberal allies, who have vowed to fight any benefit cuts, and its 37 million members, many of whom are deeply opposed to such a move. To win them over, AARP is preparing coast-to-coast town-hall meetings to explain the problem and the possible solutions."