"I have a message for every American who is 55 or older: Do not let anyone mislead you. For you, the Social Security system will not change in any way," the president pledged.

Bush did not disclose how deeply benefits would be cut for younger workers and he did not estimate how much it would cost to divert money from Social Security revenues into private investment accounts.

Anticipating objections, the president pledged that any system of private accounts would have ample safeguards.

• A footnote of political history will remember this year's State of the Union speech as the night of the purple fingers.

Ink was provided by a fledgling Republican congressman from Louisiana near the entrance of the House chamber Wednesday night. On their way to hear President Bush's State of the Union address, many lawmakers — mostly Republicans — dipped a digit and thrust up a purple index finger. Purple ink pads awaited GOP senators when they reached the House floor.

In Iraq, the purple finger was the mark of a voter — and a sign of defiance to the terrorists who might target them.

Wednesday's salute to Iraqi voters was organized by Rep. Bobby Jindal, president of the freshman class of lawmakers.

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Contributing: Bob Dart, Cox News Service