TPM: Jack Conway Calls Out Rand Paul's Fancy Medicare Footwork ($2,000 Deductible!)

[flpoljunkie]

Jack Conway Calls Out Rand Paul's Fancy Medicare Footwork (VIDEO)
Evan McMorris-Santoro

October 8, 2010

In a brutal new Jack Conway TV spot set to air in Kentucky soon, Rand Paul is being forced to confront the series of missteps on a Medicare deductible that Democrats say is threatening Republican efforts to win the all-important senior citizen vote.

The new spot, obtained exclusively by TPM, is the latest salvo in a week-long war over Paul's public advocacy for raising the Medicare deductible to $2,000. Back in 2009, Paul was caught on tape suggesting the move as part of a "market-based" transition for the government program, a move he admitted at the time was at best a tough sell to the electorate.

Since then, Paul has attempted to walk back the stance -- first airing a commercial saying he never said it (he later edited that spot to say, basically, that he never meant it) and then explaining he only supported raising the deductible for future Medicare recipients 55 years of age or younger. The overall result of the Paul spin? A frontrunner who sounds like he's on the defensive when it comes to an issue that strikes a core demographic right where their votes come from: their wallets.

Conway seems content to twist the knife. The new ad puts Paul's walkbacks up against footage of the Republican advocating the deductible -- footage captured by the Democrat Conway's tracker.

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBRqorpCmBE&feature=player_embedded

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/jack-conway-calls-out-rand-pauls-fancy-medicare-footwork-video.php?ref=fpblg

[OHdem10]

1. Rand Paul must have seen that poll which shows rank and file

TeaBaggers do not want Lawmakers cutting SS and Medicare.

It is the more affluent Teabagger Activists who are pushing
these ideas and passing themselves off as rank and file.
How funny the Rich storming the gates with their pitchforks.

[Qutzupalotl]

4. Exactly right.

Good assessment. And good on Conway for finding a wedge issue to divide the opposition.

[Clio the Leo]

2. kick nt

[kentuck]

3. Conway should drive this stake thru his heart...

right up until election day.

[PopSixSquish]

5. Apparently Bill Clinton is Going to Campaign for Conway this Coming Week

President Clinton carried the state in the 1992 election.

Sic 'em Big Dog!