A truly heavy political lift, like fixing Medicare or restraining the deficit, requires national attention and the kind of political support that can come only if both parties feel they have something to gain from success.

These Social Security proponents argue that the correct plan is to fix Medicare, which is the largest underfunded entitlement, repeal the 2001-2004 tax cuts, and balance the budget.

"The sooner we fix Medicare, the better," he said, but he added that a little perspective could help.

In other words, we need to fix Medicare for a decade right now.

If our leaders do not have the will to hold the line on spending our first surplus in 30 years, how can we expect them to have the courage to fix Social Security and Medicare?

The only way to fix Medicare fairly is to set aside 15 to 16 percent of the surplus to do it now.

For this to happen, Mr. President, all we need is for you to tell the American people, "Yes," to this Democrat and Republican plan to fix Medicare.

Shouldn't these guys work on weekends until we figure out how to fix Iraq, New Orleans, Medicare and gas prices?

MR. KERRY - Actually, Mr. President, in 1997, we fixed Medicare and I was one of the people involved in it.

And we've had many opportunities to fix Medicare, but President Clinton wanted to play politics with it, so he wants to wait until after the election.