Bush Poised To Claim Victory ........ (Drug/Medicare Reform Bill)

[cthrumatrix]

Bush Poised To Claim Victory
But Bill's Effects Are Hard to Gauge
By David S. Broder and Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, November 25, 2003; Page A04


With the Senate moving toward final congressional approval of his Medicare prescription drug bill yesterday, President Bush has made a bid to break the historic political alliance between Democrats and senior citizens -- a feat that could change the dynamics of next year's election and perhaps long-term partisan patterns in this country.

But some Democrats, reeling from defeat on an issue they long saw as their own, said a voter backlash against a measure they consider deeply flawed could still work to their benefit.

more

But the first neutral survey of attitudes toward the $400 billion 10-year plan found a sizable majority of those currently eligible for Medicare rejecting the change and overall public opinion evenly divided.

The National Annenberg Election Survey, taken from last Wednesday through Sunday, found 40 percent of the 860 adults interviewed favoring passage and 42 percent opposed. Among those older than 65, 33 percent wanted the bill passed and 49 percent were against it. In a partisan split similar to that on many other issues, Republicans favored it by 11 percentage points and Democrats opposed it by 12.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11573-2003Nov24.html

The more people understand it....the more they dislike it. And Shrub thinks that's a "victory"? Victory for his pharma and insurance buddies.

[cthrumatrix]

1. If the AARP thinks seniors won't read the fine print....guess again

"History suggests that older voters will scrutinize the program and weigh its effects on their pocketbooks. Democrats were recalling the fiasco in the Reagan years when Congress passed a bill to insure seniors against medical catastrophes, only to run into a backlash that forced its repeal. "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11573-2003Nov24.html

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. my mom recieves $700 SS...has $380 Rx a month ...she will get $0 help

from this bill...she will still have to eat cat food her reant is $475...jk

[Racenut20]

2. Won't be a backlash

The harmful part doesn't take place until 06. Democrats lost big time on this one. Need leadership that is not facing re election next year and isn't afraid of speaking up. Senator Durbin, where are you?????

Clark/Durbin in 04

[0007]

8. There will be a "backlash" you can count on it...

If you have been watching the Senate Floor you would know that Durbin has been outstanding in exposing these thugs that have crafted this piece of hwy robbery.

[0007]

9. There will be a "backlash" you can count on it...

If you have been watching the Senate Floor you would know that Durbin has been outstanding in exposing these thugs that have crafted this piece of hwy robbery.



[ClintonTyree]

3. If he's pinning his hopes..............

on this issue to gain the senior voye in 2004, he's sorely mistaken. Most seniors are against Bush and his policies without the Medicare Bill figured in. Those that like the Medicare bill aren't going to change their vote against Bush because of of it's passage. Those that already hate Bush and hate the Medicare Bill (a steadily growing number since this poll was taken), are going to go ballistic at the ballot box.
I live in a heavily populated senior area. I'd say at least 60% of registered voters here are seniors. (This is after all, Florida) I work with them daily and I have yet to speak to one, ONE, that supports this president. These people vote and vote BIG.
This is going to bite Bush right square in the ass. Being that he's ALL ass, that's a mighty big target.

[Kolesar]

4. He's going to land on the back of a Sr. Citizen in his little flight suit

thumbs up, fly boy :thumbsup:

[maddezmom]

5. seniors and their children have a long memory

and the ones that will be affected negatively won't be voting for Bush*.

[teryang]

6. This bill is outrageous

Anyone who votes for it is corrupt.

[farmbo]

7. Over the Thanksgiving table, millions will be discussing this Turkey

Granny, Aunt Tilly and Uncle George will come together to compare notes, and support for this Trojan Horse will dry up and blow away faster than Cousin Suzi's 'Leaves of Autumn' centerpiece in a November gale.

That's why Rove and Delay are pushing it through today and tomorrow!

Keep the cards, faxes and emails pouring in!

[DrBB]

10. Major campaign theme for Dems:

"How dumb do they think we are?"

Followed by whichever fraudulent Bush policy initiative you'd care to focus on that week.

"'Medicare/Drug reform'? Here's what Bush Medicare reform really means... How dumb do they think we are?"

"'Clear skies'? Are you kidding? Here's what Bush's 'Clear skies' initiative actually means.... How dumb do they think we are?"

I'd like to see a whole series....

[Neecy]

14. campaign theme for Dems?

Enough Republicans voted against this bill in the Senate that it wouldn't have passed without Democratic support. They'll crow how this was a bipartisan bill and how well Bush works with the Congress to 'get things done'.

Just exactly how does this help us in Senate races next year? "Vote for us so we can pass Bush corporate giveaway legislation"?

I'm so disgusted at my own party I could vomit.

[grilled onions]

11. what will happen

when enough do not sign up for this nightmare? The Repubs won't accept losing face on "their" plan. Will they start playing hardball and force rx plans that are available,for example on the internet,at a cheaper price with coverage at least as good as their plan?
In some areas doctors having been opting out of HMO's and just recently opting out of Medicare patients as well,stating they can only afford so many in their practice. So many questions have not been answered so why are so many voting for it anyhow?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. i heard he has 2 speeches prepared...hope to God he uses the losing one

[kentuck]

15. He's going to run on this issue even though it doesn't go into effect...

until 2006? If it turns out to be a dud, they will say it was 'bi-partisan' since quite a few Dems voted for it.

Ready to claim victory? He gets to take credit for it in 2004 and by the time he's out of office in 2008, the old folks will be feeling the full impact of this "great" piece of legislation and will blame the incumbent, which will not be George W Bush.

[cthrumatrix]

16. it's 2006 so that seniors won't know the truth before the vote

educate all seniors on how shrub is trying to screw them

[idontwantaname]

17. education is the key!

thats right.
time to start handing out fliers and informing everyone to tell their loved ones about this!

now is the time to mobilize and urge everyone to voice against this... since it doesnt take effect til 2006 there is time for change to be made.

all you DUers in LA feel free to contact me and we will get together and plan somehting.

[reprobate]

18. I'm in the senior age group.

And everyone I talk to already knows and they're mad. This won't help bush. By the election it's gonna hurt him badly.

[Gin]

19. This wave will crash....let him ride it...he alrady mentioned AARP...

that was a major mistake also..I would not want to be in his shoes..
he is quicksand and this bill will not pull him out.