Medicare Position Continues to Trip Up Dean

Talon News ^ | October 21, 2003 | Charles Mahaleris

[yoe]

MANCHESTER, NH (Talon News) -- Howard Dean is the front-runner among the Democrats seeking to replace President George W. Bush. Being the front-runner comes with a big target as rivals continue to assault his record on Medicare.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO) have for weeks attacked Dean (D-VT) on his foreign policy positions and for perceived "flip flops" he has taken regarding support for Medicare.

On Monday, Kerry continued the attack, charging that Dean intends to cut Medicare.

"Howard Dean wants to fix George Bush's failed economic policy and massive deficits on the backs of seniors who have worked hard to make this country what it is today," Kerry said.

"The Republicans wanted a $270 billion cut in Medicare in 1995 to balance the budget," Kerry added. "The Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich also then denied they intended to 'cut' Medicare, saying then that they only wanted to 'limit the growth' of the program. Unfortunately, Howard Dean supported their proposal to raise premiums for tens of millions of seniors who depend on the Medicare program for their health security."

Dean on Sunday was busy defending himself against earlier attacks.

"I am disappointed that some of the other candidates in this race continue to distort my position on Medicare," Dean said while campaigning in New Hampshire. "I have dedicated my life to health care and have actually delivered it to thousands of seniors with my own hands. Because I am a doctor, I know better than any of the other candidates how much seniors count on this vital program. No one should question my commitment to Medicare."

The trouble is not likely to go away, and Dean himself is partly to blame. In an interview with members of Iowa's media, Dean said on Saturday that as president he would not take Medicare off the table when looking to balance the budget. According to the Des Moines Register, Dean said that he would look at limiting the growth of Medicare.

"The only thing I can tell you is we'll balance the budget faster than any other candidate, and we will not make any cuts in any major programs," Dean said.

Statements like that are red meat for Kerry and Gephardt who trail Dean in New Hampshire.

Gephardt also has been attacking Dean's changing positions on Medicare. His campaign has created a website called DeanFacts.com, and he has released quotes Dean made in the early 1990s about the entitlement program. One such quote Gephardt released to the media was made by Dean in 1995 during an interview with one newspaper.

The way to balance the budget, Dean said in the interview, is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans pensions, while the states cut almost everything else.

"It would be tough but we could do it," Dean said.

[yoe]

Can someone tell me where Medicare isn't working?; what needs fixing?

[KantianBurke]

One thing Medicare isn't doing now but will shortly, along with Social Security, once the baby boomers start retiring is becoming a vaccum on all our tax dollars. Bush's "free pills for granny" won't help matters either.

[prairiebreeze]

The way to balance the budget, Dean said in the interview, is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans pensions, while the states cut almost everything else.

Yeeesh! Talk about a liberal Nazi! Socialism 101.

pinging some folks

Prairie

[Dog]

Dean said in the interview, is for Congress to cut Social Security,

WHOA!

Howie you just grabbed the political third rail....while wet.

Prairie......is there a tap of this Dean speech?

[dirtboy]

The way to balance the budget, Dean said in the interview, is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans pensions, while the states cut almost everything else.

Hmmm - a Democrat actually talking about reducing the size of government. Or at least curtailing the rate of growth.

That's what's hilarious about the Dem primary cycle this year. Dean is dragging everyone else leftward on the Iraq war. And the rest of them are dragging Dean leftward on spending. Before this is over they'll be jockeying for photo-ops at Lenin's Tomb.

[Peach]

What a way to try and win the votes - and to think it was the Rats who accused the GOP of trying to get rid of social security, etc.

[Miss Marple]

Yep, move that retirement age to 70. That will go over with all the factory and construction workers.

Dean...the gift that keeps on giving.

[prairiebreeze]

Don't know. It was from a 1995 interview according to the article. So has Howie been espousing this "plan" for 8 years now?

He's dangerous. I'd love to see some of those sequestered files of his.

Prairie

[prairiebreeze]

The RATS are so fixated on getting power by any means possible it wouldn't surprise me if a good part of Dim Senators, spokesmen etc. don't fall behind this clap-trap if Deno gets nominated.

The Dim voters hopefully would be a different story.

Prairie

[prairiebreeze]

Actually it's from CNN Crossfire 2/28/95 according to Gephardt's Deno-slamming website: Deanfacts.com

Much more current Deno comments from that site are at:

http://www.deanfacts.com/plugin/template/gephardt/234/*

One thing about it, it's amusing as heck to see the RATS tearing at each others throats through these slam-slime web sites!

Prairie

[prairiebreeze]

check out link at post 10 if you are interested and haven't already

Prairie

[Peach]

I'm glad to see the Democrats take each other on. Maybe we could help them with our research and information. hehehe

[dirtboy]

Separated at birth:

Buzz Lightyear

Buzz Lightweight - Leading the Democrats to Oblivion and Beyond! in 2004...

[Miss Marple]

Heheheh. Excellent! (Said with a malevolent chuckle.)

[Miss Marple]

To infinity...and beyond!!

[Miss Marple]

The more I think about it, the better the analogy.

In the first Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear doesn't realize he is a toy. He thinks he is real.

[dirtboy]

In the first Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear doesn't realize he is a toy. He thinks he is real.

I think it has traction. Look at Dean's whacked-out eyebrows and compare them to Buzz's. And "To Oblivion and Beyond!" is exactly where Dean is taking the Dems. Buzz Lightweight, indeed. Registered, you interested in taking on this one?

[Miss Marple]

Oh, Reg, PLEASE DO THIS! Look at how Buzz's cheesy grin is identical!

I promise to forward it to Brit Hume again! LOL!

[prairiebreeze]

bookmarking with anticipation

Prairie