Democratic ads also misleading, group says (FactCheck: NY-26 Dems Medicare claims false)

Buffalo News ^ | 5/21/2011 | Jerry Zremski

[Qbert]

WASHINGTON -- Democrats are grossly exaggerating Republican Medicare reform plans in ads in the local race for Congress, which "has become a national test market for distorted political claims," a nonpartisan watchdog group said.

[Snip]

Democratic groups are airing ads attacking Corwin for supporting a GOP budget plan that, for those under age 55, converts Medicare from a guaranteed government benefit to a system where the government subsidizes health insurance that seniors would buy.

"Democrats are claiming this is tantamount to doing away with Medicare -- but that's far from the truth," FactCheck wrote.

[Snip]

"For example, a new ad released May 16 by the House Majority PAC, a new Democratic 'super PAC,' shows video of white-haired senior citizens and claims that the GOP budget plan supported by Corwin would 'essentially end Medicare' and cause 'sacrifice' for seniors," FactCheck writes, noting that the Democratic Congressional Campaign committee made a similar claim.

The trouble is, it's a gross overstatement to say that the GOP would "essentially end Medicare" and imply that its supposed elimination might affect the seniors pictured in the ad.

"The truth is that the plan would continue Medicare just as it is for anyone who is now receiving it (like those pictured) and also for anyone who will begin receiving Medicare during the next decade," FactCheck said. "The program would continue in its present form indefinitely for all those beneficiaries."

That being the case, Andrea Bozek, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, accused the Democrats of trying to rile up seniors in hopes they will vote for Hochul.

[Snip]

For their part, Democrats offer a complicated defense of their statement.

[Snip]

And finally, Democrats are simply sticking to their guns and insisting that their ad is not misleading, no matter what the critics say.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Democratic groups are airing ads attacking Corwin for supporting a GOP budget plan that, for those under age 55, converts Medicare from a guaranteed government benefit to a system where the government subsidizes health insurance that seniors would buy. “Democrats are claiming this is tantamount to doing away with Medicare — but that's far from the truth,” FactCheck wrote..... “The truth is that the plan would continue Medicare just as it is for anyone who is now receiving it (like those pictured) and also for anyone who will begin receiving Medicare during the next decade,” FactCheck said. “The program would continue in its present form indefinitely for all those beneficiaries.(now receiving it.)”

This over/under 55 argument is not the winner that they appear to think it is. Looking at the above they seem to think that voters just don't know about it. Think about what that argument really tells those under 55.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

NY26 stays in the Republican corner. Democrat dirt bags just pulling the same tactics that failed them in November, 2010. Watch!!! Corwin romps with 53% of the vote, tomorrow evening!!!!

[Mr. K]

The washington slime is all over this election

GET ALL YOUR FRIENDS OUT TO VOTE~!

If The Democraps win, it will be viewed as a stunning victory for Obama and Pelosi

[Qbert]

“The washington slime is all over this election”

The Republicans need to go back on the offensive, and stop getting drawn into the leftists’ game plan.

[The Mayor]

This campaign will go down as the worst run in history.
We have been trying to advise them and they ignore the advice.

[Qbert]

If they really are down in the polls, one would think they would be open to advice to rectify the situation. (I don’t know- maybe there’s some way to go above their heads and appeal to the NRCC.)

Watching it from afar, it just seems like they are constantly playing defense on the Medicare issue... and that’s all there is.

[The Mayor]

I have been dealing with the NRCC for 2 weeks. Goes in one ear and out the other.