As I wrote below, the president has the institutional power to focus debate on one issue and ignore questions about the opportunity costs of devoting resources to addressing that issue. In 2001, for instance, tax cuts were a much lower priority than other issues for the public, but when asked whether they wanted tax cuts or not, people said yes.

Here’s some new evidence of the same dynamic on Social Security from the ABC News/Washington Post poll. People agree that Social Security should be addressed, but it’s not their top issue priority at all:

3. Which of these should be the highest priority for Bush and Congress this year: (The U.S. campaign against terrorism), (the war in Iraq), (the economy and jobs), (health care), (Social Security) or something else?

Terrorism 17%
Economy/jobs 23%
Health care 27%
Social Security 10%
Something else 5%
No opinion 2%

4. If changes are not made, do you think the Social Security system is heading for a crisis down the road, or not?

Yes 71%
No 23%
Already in crisis (vol.) 1%
No opinion 5%