Senator Mark Begich, in a tough reelection fight in Alaska, has what I think is the exact right formula for Democrats to keep the Senate: Campaign on expanding, not cutting, Social Security.
http://ift.tt/OVRCQD
I've noticed a particular formula play out over the last few years. The Republicans and Third Way types are always talking about and pushing the need to cut entitlement programs for the benefit of the long-term health of the country's finances. But whenever Obama has allowed that to happen, such as the $700 billion cost saving measure in Medicare (not a benefit cut) that was included in the ACA, he was attacked endlessly by Romney and the GOP for cutting Medicare.
This will always be how it goes. Republicans and Wall Street Dems will push for entitlement cuts, and if Obama moves an inch in that direction, Republicans will savage him for cutting Social Security and/or Medicare. Furthermore, base Dems will revolt and stay home from the polls in droves.
Message to Dem candidates. Entitlement cuts are a Lose/Lose/Lose scenario. You lose when Republicans make it a campaign issue. You lose when Democrats stay home in disgust. And you lose because it's terrible long-term policy anyway. Mary Landrieu, Kay Hagen, Mark Pryor, Michelle Nunn, Udalls: Follow Begich's lead.
Campaign on expanding Social Security and Medicare. You will increase your chances of winning. It's the right thing to do. Andrew Cuomo is Lieberman 2.0, and not the future of the party. Don't follow his lead.
http://ift.tt/OVRCQD
I've noticed a particular formula play out over the last few years. The Republicans and Third Way types are always talking about and pushing the need to cut entitlement programs for the benefit of the long-term health of the country's finances. But whenever Obama has allowed that to happen, such as the $700 billion cost saving measure in Medicare (not a benefit cut) that was included in the ACA, he was attacked endlessly by Romney and the GOP for cutting Medicare.
This will always be how it goes. Republicans and Wall Street Dems will push for entitlement cuts, and if Obama moves an inch in that direction, Republicans will savage him for cutting Social Security and/or Medicare. Furthermore, base Dems will revolt and stay home from the polls in droves.
Message to Dem candidates. Entitlement cuts are a Lose/Lose/Lose scenario. You lose when Republicans make it a campaign issue. You lose when Democrats stay home in disgust. And you lose because it's terrible long-term policy anyway. Mary Landrieu, Kay Hagen, Mark Pryor, Michelle Nunn, Udalls: Follow Begich's lead.
Campaign on expanding Social Security and Medicare. You will increase your chances of winning. It's the right thing to do. Andrew Cuomo is Lieberman 2.0, and not the future of the party. Don't follow his lead.
via JREF Forum http://ift.tt/1eK91p6
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