Medicare worries may tip balance to Democrat in NY congressional race

With less than 10 days before election day, GOP prospects for victory in a congressional race seem less likely, some news outlets are reporting.

Politico: Republican Worry Grows Over Upstate New York Race
Republicans are growing increasingly pessimistic over their prospects in a race for a western New York congressional seat the party was once thought a lock to hold. With the contest entering its final weekend, party officials acknowledge what a Siena College poll released Saturday confirmed: Republican Jane Corwin narrowly trails Democrat Kathy Hochul. The Republican has so far failed to capture a portion of GOP votes that instead might be cast toward Jack Davis (Isenstadt, 5/21).

The Wall Street Journal: Democrat Surges in Poll Ahead of N.Y. Special Election
The May 24 election is being watched for clues to voter reaction to Congress since Republicans gained new power in the 2010 mid-term elections. The Republican-controlled House, supported by the fiscally conservative tea party, has insisted on reducing federal spending. As part of that effort, House Republicans approved a plan to end Medicare's traditional role as a fee-for-service program, turning it instead into a system of subsidized, private health insurance plans. The change would not affect people who are now age 55 or older. In the Siena survey, about equal numbers of voters said that Medicare, jobs and the federal budget deficit were the issues most important to them (Hughes, 5/21).

Roll Call: Poll: Hochul Has Late Lead in N.Y. Special
Democrats have increasingly sought to portray the race as a referendum on Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget proposal and the debate over his plan to revamp Medicare. The Siena poll showed 21 percent of respondents said Medicare was the most important issue for them in the special election. Of those, 74 percent said they are backing Hochul (Whittington, 5/21).