There was a long interview with Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) published in yesterday's Roll Call under the headline "Baby Boomer Blues."  The interview--which, unfortunately, is subscription only--focused on the need for entitlement reform, and the new chairman of the House Budget Committee talked at length about some of the developments within the debate.  Here are a couple excerpts:

On the possibility of the parties working together for reform:

"Of course [Sens. Kent] Conrad (D-ND) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) have talked extensively about it on a trip they took to South America and came back with some fairly specific ideas.  I think it is premature, but it doesn't hurt to talk about it and see if anything grows out of it."

On the order in which entitlements should be fixed:

"Social Security would come first because there are a variety of ways of fixing Social Security.  Nobody wants to talk about any individually because you'll find them hung around his neck in the next election and they are much easier to support as a package when you can say these things done together will make Social Security assuredly solid for another 75 years.  If you can say that, then you can get people to take what would otherwise be some unpleasant steps..."