Did the AARP Sell Out on Social Security?

[saveliberty]

Andrew Stiles, The Corner, National Review:

The Corner
Did the AARP Sell Out on Social Security?
June 17, 2011 5:39 P.M.
By Andrew Stiles

AARP, the powerful (and liberal-leaning) lobbying group for senior citizens, raised eyebrows Friday when the Wall Street Journal reported that the organization was “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, given the group’s immense clout.

[clearvision]

This sure makes me suspicious.