GOP turns 180 on Medicare

[tabatha]

Before the 2010 elections, it was Republicans doing the demagogue-ing -- so to speak. The GOP -- as well as outside conservative groups (like Crossroads GPS and 60 Plus, the conservative alternative to AARP) -- criticized the proposed cuts to Medicare in the health-care overhaul.
.....

Here’s a sampling of scripts and links from other ads Republicans and Republican-leaning groups ran:

60 Plus vs. former Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL): Older man: “Allen Boyd has betrayed Florida seniors.” Woman: “Instead of voting to protect us, he supported Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda.” Another woman: “Boyd voted for Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill, which would cut $500 billion from Medicare.” Another man: “That will hurt the quality of our care.” Woman: “We thought Boyd was looking out for us. But Allen Boyd switched his vote on health care.” Man: “Florida seniors can send Allen Boyd a message – he betrayed us. This November, we’ll remember.” (Hat tip: Politifact.)

Crossroads GPS vs. Joe Sestak (D-PA): “What’s Congressman Joe Sestak done? He voted to gut Medicare, slashing benefits for Pennsylvania seniors. The Obama-Sestak scheme could jeopardize access to care for millions. … Gutting Medicare, hurting seniors, killing jobs, Pennsylvania can’t afford Joe Sestak.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/05/6412111-demagogue-this

[gratuitous]

1. The Republican response (which will totally fly, by the way)

"That was then, this is now." NOBODY in the popular media will remember a thing about Republican demagoguery on Medicare in 2010. Anyone who mentions it will receive the "Oh, I don't think the Republicans said anything about that." And unless someone has some actual ads all cued up, that will be the end of it.

[tularetom]

2. They don't need no steenking consistency

They've figured out that voters have the attention spans of a gnat and they can take whatever side of an issue benefits them at the time. If they change their position later no one will notice.

[BeFree]

3. You mean

When they change their position no one notices?

I remember those ads last year and was thinking WTF?