ATLANTA -- His mother at his side, President Bush on Friday sought to rekindle interest in his languishing Social Security restructuring plan, marketing it as part of a "Senior Security" package.

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Calling his mother, Barbara Bush, "my favorite senior citizen," Bush said that the new prescription drug program under Medicare -- which takes effect in January -- would benefit nearly every one who signed up.

"It's a good deal," Bush said.

He also vowed that nothing in his Social Security proposal would reduce benefits for current retirees or those close to retiring.

"Seniors have nothing to worry about...What you should be worried about is whether your grandchildren are going to get any checks," Bush said.

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Bush and the former first lady first visited a senior center here to thank volunteers who are helping explain the new benefit program to future beneficiaries.

Then he promoted his Social Security plan, his top domestic priority, before an invitation-only audience of supporters in a civic center.

Despite crisscrossing the nation to promote the plan, Bush has had little success in building public support for his plan.

His proposal would allow younger workers to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into private investment accounts in exchange for a reduction in future guaranteed benefits. He has also called for measures to guarantee Social Security's long-term solvency by reducing some future benefits for higher-income workers.

Bush's trip came the same week in which House and Senate leaders threw in the towel on trying to get committee action on the legislation before the August congressional recess.

They cited the press of other business, including energy legislation and a Central American free trade pact. But Bush's plan faced solid Democratic opposition and a substantial amount of GOP skepticism.

At the Wesley Woods senior center, Bush and his mother, did a tag-team pitch for the benefits of the new prescription drug plan, part of a Medicare restructuring enacted in December 2003.

To her son's introduction of her as his "favorite senior citizen," Mrs. Bush chortled and noted that Bush himself is "almost 60 years old" and close to being one himself. He turned 59 earlier this month.

Later, at the civic center speech, Mrs. Bush, 80, also noted that her son's hair was turning white. "You can see where I got my white hair from," the president retorted.

The entire speech was delivered in a town hall style meeting. The president sat on a stool along with several other panelists, including his mother, during the event.

Barbara Bush told her son she was proud of him, and that he looked good in the brown suit he was wearing. "You turn 80, and you run out of things to say," Bush said, bringing some groans from the audience.

He then won applause when he gold his mother she indeed had "a lot to say."

Bush talked up the plan, then his mother interrupted to ask him if he hadn't also meant to suggest that seniors "ask their doctors and lawyers -- people they trust -- why this is a good deal for them?"

"It will save them money" Barbara Bush said.

The president nodded, and added: "And save their lives."

Afterwards, Bush said he and his mother would go around the room and shake hands. "You go that way," said his mother, pointing to the right. "She's still telling me what to do," Bush said, going dutifully to the right.

In his civic center speech, Bush expressed concern that the benefits of the plan may not be initially appreciated by many of the 42 million eligible Americans who receive Medicare benefits.

"I understand. A lot of citizens just don't want to change," Bush said.

Starting Oct. 1, information about the program will be available to seniors, as well as people with developmental and physical disabilities, mental illnesses or HIV/AIDS.

Enrollment starts Nov. 15.

Low income seniors -- individuals earning less than $15,000 a year or couples earning less than $19,000 -- would have roughly 95 percent of their prescription drug costs covered under the plan.

Protesters Greet President

About 200 demonstrators, many of them holding signs, lined the streets during the presidential visit.

"He cannot hear the American people who have already spoken that they consider privatization a gamble with their Social Security," one woman said.

Other protesters expressed opposition against the war in Iraq.

"I just think it's immoral," one man said. "I don't think we can defeat terrorism by waging war against innocent people throughout the world."

At the beginning of his remarks, the president expressed support for the people of London, who were still grappling with a series of bombings on July 7 and on Thursday.

"The people of Great Britain must understand how strongly America stands with them during these trying times," Bush said to a standing ovation. "I'm confident that, like our country, the citizens of that country will not be intimidated by thugs and assassins."

On Friday, London police fatally shot a man and arrested a second in the ongoing investigation of the case.

Presidential Accolades

During his trip to the metro area, Bush presented Bill and Nina Hartman with the President's Volunteer Service Award for their work at the Clayton County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, where they have served for the past ten years.

The two help seniors by teaching them how to operate the cardiovascular equipment and free weights at the Riverdale Senior Center.

Bush later acknowledged the couple during his speech at the Atlanta Civic Center Friday afternoon, saying, "They are taking time out of their lives to help someone else."

"At first we didn't believe them," said Nina Hartman. "We thought it was a hoax."

Said Gov. Sonny Perdue: "These are the kind of folks the president wants to talk with. He'll be glad to see them."

Before the president arrived to deliver his speech, the biggest star at the Civic Center was a man passing out coupons and wearing a tie emblazoned with the words "Eat Mor Chikin" -- the slogan for the Chik-Fil-A chain.

Chik-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, a social conservative, was surrounded by well-wishers, complimenting him on his food and his support of Republicans.

wsbtv.com Staff Writer Alfred Charles and Channel 2 Action News reporters Tom Regan and Elenora Andrews contributed to this report.