DCCC Launches Ad Campaign Targeting Paul Ryans Budget Plan
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is attacking Republicans in more than two dozen swing districts as lawmakers return home this week, seizing on the GOP’s recent vote to support a budget plan that transforms Medicare and Medicaid.
The DCCC is using radio ads, live and recorded phone calls, emails, online advertising and what the New York Times described as “pep rallies,” to get its message out to 25 districts. It’s the latest move in the campaign committee’s “Drive for 25,” named for the number of seats Democrats need to flip next year to take control of the House. And it comes four days after House Republicans voted to support the controversial deficit-cutting plan of Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), which fundamentally re-shapes Medicare, the popular health care program for seniors.
Here’s an example of one radio ad targeting Minnesota Rep. Chip Cravaack: “Did you know Congressman Chip Cravaack voted to end Medicare forcing seniors to pay $12,500 for private health insurance, without guaranteed coverage? Tell Cravaack to keep his hands off our Medicare.”
The modest buys are in line with the early spending strategy of the debt-laden campaign committee, which would not disclose the cost of this week’s push. The efforts are focused in six districts in Florida, in addition to districts in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.
And while Republicans aren’t launching an offensive of their own, GOP Members left Washington bearing a 31-page “resource kit,” according to the New York Times, that offers talking points and charts on how to counter the Democratic attacks.