Media Skeptical of Dems Health Care Claims

Fri Nov 20 — 3:04pm

As Saturday’s vote approaches, the New York Times’ Carl Hulse reports on Majority Leader Reid’s ownership of the health care legislation. "Now it is Senator Harry Reid’s health care bill. The majority leader’s deep personal involvement in assembling the overhaul of the health care system - now on the brink of a historic Senate debate - has, for better or worse, conferred ownership of the legislation on Mr. Reid, Democrat of Nevada ... should the bill fall victim to the complex political, procedural and substantive fights raging around health care, it would be a stinging defeat for him, his president and his party - all while he faces a tough re-election fight at home."

Why is Reid’s ownership of this massive health care bill a political problem as he jockeys with Chris Dodd for lowest approval ratings of any incumbent in either party running for re-election? The Washington Post, Washington Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal highlight some of the potential pitfalls below....

 

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New CNN poll shows the national mood shifting

Fri Nov 20 — 2:58pm

A new CNN poll shows the national mood shifting and Americans beginning to blame Democrats for the current economic downturn - an ominous sign for the Party in charge less than a year before the midterms.

Nearly two years into the recession, opinion about which political party is responsible for the severe economic downturn is shifting, according to a new national poll. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday morning indicates that 38 percent of the public blames Republicans for the country's current economic problems. That's down 15 points from May, when 53 percent blamed the GOP. According to the poll 27 percent now blame the Democrats for the recession, up 6 points from May. Twenty-seven percent now say both parties are responsible for the economic mess.

More Exaggerated Claims About Jobs Created From Stimulus

Fri Nov 20 — 2:56pm

Another day, yet more stories documenting the Dems’ exaggerated claims about jobs ACTUALLY created from the stimulus:

New York Times: "The government watchdog overseeing the federal stimulus program testified Thursday that he could not vouch for the Obama administration’s recent claims that the money had saved or created 640,000 jobs. He suggested that the administration should have treated the number with more skepticism ... "

Washington Post: "Government auditors raised doubts Thursday about the number of jobs created or saved by the economic stimulus program, but they also said that mistakes reported in recent weeks signal the benefits of government transparency. Roughly 10 percent of the recipients of stimulus dollars failed to submit quarterly reports last month, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday."

Zogby: Lincoln Vote on Healthcare Bill Could Change Race

Thu Nov 19 — 11:13pm

As pressure from President Obama and Harry Reid mounts on Blanche Lincoln to join with them and move forward with their $2.5 trillion health care bill, new poll numbers from Arkansas should give her great pause as she weighs the upcoming vote on Saturday. According to Zogby, 64% of likely Arkansas voters oppose the Democrats health care bill and 48% said they would be less likely to back Lincoln's re-election if she supports it.

So will Blanche Lincoln stand with Harry Reid on Saturday or will she stand with her constituents in Arkansas?

Harry Reid Delivers -- But It's Not For Nevada

Thu Nov 19 — 11:07pm

Despite Reid’s continued claims that he uses his position as Senate Majority Leader to deliver for Nevada - claiming in a campaign ad just last week that he is the most "powerful Senator Nevada has ever had" - it turns out the special deal for Nevada in the original health care bill has been stripped out. As you may recall, in a September 30th speech on the Senate floor, Reid defended the deal to send additional federal Medicaid funding to Nevada and said he makes "no apologies" for helping his state - "There is not a single state in the nation that has felt the full force of the foreclosure crisis like Nevada," Reid said.

Well, it turns out there is a state receiving a special deal in the health care bill - but it’s not Nevada.

As reported by ABC News, the state of Louisiana will receive an extra $100 million in federal Medicaid funding beyond what every other state will receive. Why? Because as ABC’s Jonathan Karl reports, "Senator Harry Reid, who drafted the bill, cannot pass it without the support of Louisiana’s Mary Landrieu."

 

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More on the NRSC's Fundraising Lead

Thu Nov 19 — 5:14pm

For the fifth month this year, the NRSC topped its Democrat counterparts on the fundraising front:

·         Roll Call: “NRSC Outraised DSCC In October.” This is the fifth month this year that Senate Republicans’ campaign arm has outraised their Democratic counterparts. NRSC officials were quick to point out that they are well ahead of their fundraising pace compared to last cycle when the committee raised just under $3 million in October 2007.

·         On Call: “NRSC Beats DSCC In Oct. Fundraising.” The NRSC outraised the DSCC in October, bringing in about a quarter of a million dollars more than their rivals. The NRSC raised $4 million last month, leaving them with $5.8 million in the bank. The committee has no debt.

·         The Hill: “NRSC Tops DSCC With $4 Million Raised In October.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) outraised its Democratic counterpart slightly, $4 million to $3.7 million, in October, according to figures released by the committees Wednesday.