Senate, congressional races focus on Medicare positions, health law votes

Medicare moves to the forefront of House races in Pennsylvania while Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, defends his policies -- including his health law vote -- against TV ads and record spending brought by outside groups. 

Kaiser Health News: Medicare Takes Center Stage In Close Pennsylvania Races
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's selection of Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan as his running mate may have energized the Republican base, but it has also fired up the Democratic faithful who say that Ryan's proposals to revamp Medicare would end guaranteed health benefits for seniors" (Werber Serafini, 8/22).

The Associated Press/Washington Post: Record Outside Money In Ohio's Senate Race Has TV Airwaves Humming With Ads
His critics try to tie Brown with presidential priorities least popular in the closely divided state -; including the health care overhaul and energy policies they paint as anti-coal. One of the most recent TV spots funded by Crossroads GPS asks: "Who's the biggest supporter of the Obama agenda in Ohio? It's Sherrod Brown." Before Obama bounced back in the polls, (Republican challenger Josh) Mandel called Brown a rubber stamp for the president's policies. Brown defends his vote for Obama's health care overhaul and his support for the auto industry bailout (8/22).