W spent much of his political capital trying to press for Social Security Reform -- but even his GOP caucus in Congress wouldn't take it up seriously. It is only one of the most important issues of our time... one of the many "cans kicked down the road" by Bill Clinton and the Demos. They would prefer to see Social Security fall off the proverbial cliff rather than modify it to make it really work. In large measure, that's what W spent his political capital on. Seems foolish in retrospect, but it was one of the key issues he campained for in 2000 and 2004 and he pursued it. That's what leaders do, I guess.
Social Security Reform was dead before 2003. The quote was made right after the 2004 election.