Airwaves in GOP House districts become battleground in Medicare debate

Democratic- and Republican-leaning groups are funding ad campaigns on deficit reduction and health care in the districts of 25 House Republicans.

The Wall Street Journal: Both Sides Launch Ads On Medicare
Attack ads on Medicare have begun popping up on radio in key congressional districts. And before the next election is in the books, people in both parties predict that many more voters will see exchange of fire over the Republican plan to revamp the health care program for seniors. This week, two Democratic groups launched radio ads and phone calls in the districts of more than 25 House Republicans. A GOP-leaning group, 60 Plus, responded with its own campaign of radio ads, direct mail and phone calls in most of the same districts (Meckler, 4/22).

Roll Call: DCCC Tries To Combat 60 Plus Ad Campaign
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will issue targeted press releases in the districts of vulnerable Republicans on Thursday to combat a new ad campaign from the conservative retiree group 60 Plus Association. The effort goes after 60 Plus' plans to air $800,000 worth of radio ads across 39 districts to applaud House Republicans' controversial budget plan to reshape Medicare (Peoples, 4/21).

ABC: (video) Scare Tactics Dim Hopes Of Medicare Compromise 
Seniors -- traditionally the most reliable voters around -- also oppose changing Medicare, even though neither Democrats nor Republicans are discussing plans that would affect those currently in the program or drawing close to eligibility. Yet buried inside those numbers is a suggestion that the public may be ready for some pain, so long as it's spread around (Klein, 4/24).