Will Democrats SQUANDER Their POLITICAL ADVANTAGE On Medicare That They Regained Over Republicans?

[Segami]

:smoke: :smoke:

Dems have their republican opponents on the ropes yet still DON'T know how to deliver a straight knock-out punch.





" Is it possible that Democrats will squander the political advantage on Medicare that they just regained over Republicans? It could happen. At his weekly Capitol briefing with reporters Tuesday, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) confirmed what aides in both parties have been telling reporters: Cuts to Medicare will be on the table in deficit and debt limit negotiations, led by Vice President Joe Biden.:dunce:



After arguing that Democrats made significant headway toward extending Medicare's solvency with the health care law, Hoyer said, "Do I believe that there are other things we can do related to Medicare? The answer is I do. I'm not going to get into articulating each one, but my expectation is they will be under discussion by the Biden group."


- If a grand bargain on spending includes Medicare benefit cuts that both parties buy into, it will further expose the shambolic nature of the last two years' politics. But more to the point, it will blunt Democrats' ability to run against the House Republican vote to privatize, and, yes slash Medicare. And it will hurt Senate Democrats, many more of whom will be up for re-election in 2012 than will their Republicans colleagues. Their opponents won't have Paul Ryan's budget to answer for -- but they will have the Dems' vote for the deficit grand bargain, and the Medicare cuts therein.


If Democrats sign on broadly to more Medicare cuts in the Biden talks, it'll give the guys who want to privatize Medicare plenty of ammunition.


cont'

[Lebam in LA]

1. In a word....

yes:cry:

[DemocracyInaction]

2. Of course

I'll guarantee you that the talks right now are: Dems, you give us repukes cover for that damn Ryan budget we passed by sharing in the blame and taking your own hatchet to Medicare and we might let you tax the rich---who will just have their lawyers get them out of paying the bill like always. There is no way Obama will let the poor darlings have to defend themselves for 2 years.

[uponit7771]

3. Looking at the history of dems not being able to be consistent with a fast moving message? Yes....

...I hate to say it but I wouldn't put any money on em.

[Blue Owl]

4. Well they better not, if they have a shred of awareness

n/t

[katnapped]

5. Count on it! n/t

[aquart]

6. Thank you for your concern.

[TheKentuckian]

8. It would be stupid not to be concerned.

[QC]

7. Why does our leadership always throw a lifeline to the Republicans

when they are on the verge of destroying themselves?

It never fails.

[MrSlayer]

9. Of course they will, they are mostly on the same side.

All of the Republicans are bought out whereas merely most of the Democrats are. When are we going to stop being fooled by the false choices?

[Segami]

10. They never seem to learn. More political ' talk the talk ' intending to never ' walk the walk '.

[MisterP]

11. K&L

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/will-dems-give-up-their-political-advantage-on-medicare-in-debt-limit-fight.php

[Blue-Jay]

12. Doubtful. The Republicans are like a live action version of Whack-A-Mole right now.

National Security? *WHACK!* (UBL)

Healthcare? *WHACK!* (Romneycare - which seem to be OK with the Massholes)

Medicare? *WHACK!* (These morons endorsed the Ryan plan)

Family Values? *WHACK-A-NEWT*