FARGO - President Bush planted seeds of change in the fertile Red River Valley on Thursday, which he hopes will spread across the nation in the minds of citizens and in Congress.

Growing support for his historic proposal will require time and support of the public to pressure Democrats and Republicans opposed to diverting a portion of Social Security to the stock market.

North Dakota is a good start because Bush has done well here and also because one of his targets is Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who has not ruled out the idea of personal accounts.

"I think there's a kernel of a good idea in personal accounts to encourage more savings and investments, but it's not a good idea if it's financed by massive new borrowing and it's not a good idea if it's financed by steep benefit cuts," Conrad said.

Conrad flew from Washington, D.C., to Fargo on Air Force One on Thursday, along with Republican Gov. John Hoeven, among others.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., has vehemently opposed personal accounts, saying the rate of return from the stock market will not be what people expect.

Without getting into details, Bush said his plan will provide a safe way to invest in the market.

"History shows that over any 17-year period of time, you don't lose money in the market on safe, conservative stocks and bonds," Bush said. "It is a fact of life. It is a way that our markets have worked in the past."

Dorgan has said that Social Security in not in a crisis, but will need some adjustments to keep it solvent for the long term.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said he thinks part of Bush's strategy is to keep the details from the public. He also said he thinks Bush's plan will reduce benefits.

"In my opinion he's preparing for a world of substantially smaller Social Security benefits," Pomeroy said.

Although there are some clear differences in the North Dakota Congressional delegation's statements, Pomeroy said they are all on the same page because they want to preserve Social Security and encourage savings outside of Social Security.

Bush will have a lot of convincing to do, not only to lawmakers, but also to citizens.

Many people at Thursday's event didn't need any convincing, however. His supporters ranged from high school students to legislators and Iraqis. Hussein Weled, an Iraqi Kurd living in Fargo, said he trusts that Bush will make the right decisions about Social Security.

"I'm sure he will do something to benefit elderly people and the people who need it," Weled said.

Yassin Barwari, a Kurdish Iraqi working as an engineer in Fargo, didn't have an opinion about Bush's plan for Social Security, but he praised Bush for his handling of Iraq.

"It was the right decision to remove Saddam Hussein," Barwari said.

Several North Dakota legislators also attended the event.

Rep. Stacey Horter, R-Grand Forks, who is in her 20s, said she believes changes are needed to Social Security.

"I don't believe the fund will remain solvent through my generation," Horter said.

Although Bush's speech was aimed largely at college students, there also were many high school students there, including Mike Little, of Bismarck.

"I think there's a definite problem with Social Security," Little said. "I completely agree with what the president said, and if something isn't done quickly we should all be worried."

Little, a senior at Bismarck High School, got the chance to shake hands with Bush and has a picture to prove it.

Michael Kramer, 17, of Wahpeton, also is worried about Social Security.

"I've known for a long time I'm not going to get my Social Security unless something is done soon," Kramer said.

Bush's proposal no doubt will require some tough decisions by lawmakers, but in the end, he said he wants the people to decide.

"I truly believe that the American people can help decide an issue in the halls of Congress," Bush said. "It's what a democracy does. When the people speak, the elected officials listen."

Hoeven said Bush's speech is a call for action.

"The longer we wait the tougher it's going to be," Hoeven said.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)