"The best measurement of a president's success is whether his policies and actions had a long-term positive impact for the American people--not just this year or this presidential term, but for decades or generations to come," Pete du Pont wrote in the Wall Street Journal two years ago.

The former governor of Delaware wondered how President Bush will be remembered, noting (prior to the President's 2004 re-election) that fiscal responsibility, tax cuts, and the Iraq war will all likely play a part in the President's legacy.  Though it is difficult to know the long-term effects of all issues, du Pont wrote, one of Bush's policies will almost certainly be looked upon fondly long into the future: the ownership society.

It is within this policy that du Pont fit personal retirement accounts, as PRA's would provide a huge step toward individual ownership and choice.  du Pont wrote that a policy including personal accounts "would solve the Social Security solvency problem, avoid large tax increases on working people, give millions of Americans ownership of significant economic assets, and advance the democratic capitalism that has made America the most successful economic nation in the world.  And it would make George W. Bush one of America's most successful presidents with a policy impact on generations of Americans for decades to come."

The argument is as good today as it was two years ago.  Bush has been a great leader on Social Security, and future generations will be much better off if we fix the program with the fundamental reforms it needs.