“Oh, how the press wants to write a story about Republicans knifing their own president [over Social Security]… My alternative theory gets its first test as congressional Republicans begin their annual bicameral retreat at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va. today. And several knowledgeable sources say the White House has an impressive arsenal of speakers and statistics to ease lawmakers’ concerns about the planned level of political support and the flexibility they will provide Congress in shaping a final product. ‘Based on what I’ve heard, the members are going to be very impressed with the White House plan,’ a knowledgeable Republican staffer told me. ‘I think they could come away from the retreat believing the administration really has their ducks in a row on the issue’” — Gary J. Andres, Washington Times columnist