Social Security has never failed to pay promised benefits, and Democrats will fight to make sure that Republicans do not turn a guaranteed benefit into a guaranteed gamble.

Under the current pay-as-you-go Social Security system, not one person is actually guaranteed benefits.

Republicans are hoping no one will notice their rapid retreat from the issue of Social Security.

I never sought to privatize Social Security.

I've never said anything about privatizing Social Security.

Republicans have been providing solutions and ideas since the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and have implored Democrats to join us and to focus on getting aid to those in need,'' said Ben Porritt, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.