For GOP, Time for Soothing, Selling (drug program problems)

[papau]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/18/AR2006011802229_pf.html

For GOP, Time for Soothing, Selling
Amid Criticism of New Drug Plan, Lawmakers Try to Reassure Angry Seniors

By Shailagh Murray Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, January 19, 2006; A06

BATAVIA, N.Y. -- Republicans are using town meetings and other outreach efforts to try to tamp down senior citizens' outrage over the complicated and troubled new Medicare prescription drug program, as they look warily toward the November elections and the possibility of a political backlash.

<snip>"You can hear the groans everywhere," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, who held a Medicare event in his Chicago district last week.

Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, said a survey in December found that although a plurality of voters favors the program, seniors are more likely to perceive the benefit as complicated and costly.

Nor is there any assurance that the Republicans' rollout will diminish widespread concerns. As the midterm elections approach, Kohut said, "This could be either the one thing that people say either, 'Wow, they really accomplished something here,' or they say, 'Look at what the Republicans have done. They've fattened up their insurance buddies and left us out in the cold.' "<snip>

[shoelace414]

1. I'll take option number two.

'Look at what the Republicans have done. They've fattened up their insurance buddies and left us out in the cold.'

[papau]

2. That is also the way I read the new drug law. :-)

:-)