Dems eye Ryan Medicare plan as political opportunity

With Obama administration officials part of the campaign against the Ryan plan, other opponents also are stepping forward and launching a new wave of television ads in Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's very own congressional district. Meanwhile, The Washington Post analyzes some of the poll numbers behind where voters may stand on Medicare cuts.

Los Angeles Times: Democrats Continue Paul Ryan Budget Bash
Sensing a political opportunity, it appears Democratic operatives are going to keep pounding the Medicare drum as long as the beat keeps resonating (Oliphant, 4/25).

CNN: (video) Medicare Campaign Takes Shape
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has officially launched its campaign targeting 25 House Republican lawmakers over their support of the 2012 GOP budget proposal. Adding to paid radio advertisements that went up last week is an initiative to flood Republican home districts with telephone calls to get the DCCC word out, as well as a web video posted Monday. All make the point that the Republican members promised to protect Medicare on the 2010 campaign trail only to support a 2012 budget which would cut Medicare spending in the future (Klairmont, 4/25).

Politico: Don Berwick: Paul Ryan's Plan Is Real Rationing
The man Republicans have derided as the "rationer-in-chief" charges that Republicans' own budget proposals would end up rationing care to millions of Americans on Medicare and Medicaid (Haberkorn, 4/25).

The Wall Street Journal Washington Wire: The Next Round Of Medicare Ads
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, the author of a House-passed budget blueprint that would transform Medicare for Americans under the age of 55, is the target of another round of television ads that accuse him of ending guaranteed health care benefits for seniors. This latest 30-second spot, which is running in Mr. Ryan's southeastern Wisconsin district, is sponsored by Americans United for Change, a Washington-based advocacy group with close ties to organized labor (O'Connor, 4/25).

National Journal: (video) TV Ads Target Republicans Over Medicare Reform Efforts
Americans United for Change, a progressive issue-advocacy group, is airing television ads this week in the districts of Republican Congressmen Paul Ryan and Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, Chip Cravaack of Minnesota and Steve King of Iowa. The ads criticize Ryan's plans to make changes to Medicare and Medicaid (Poulson, 4/25).

The Washington Post: Poll Watchers: How Many Americans Support Medicare Cuts?
Two polls last week reported very different public reactions to cutting spending on Medicare. In one released Friday by CBS News and The New York Times, less than half — 45 percent — said they were unwilling to cut Medicare to reduce the deficit. But a Washington Post-ABC News poll earlier in the week showed 78 percent opposed to "cutting spending on Medicare" for a similar purpose. What gives? (Craighill, 4/25).