Do Some Voters Favor Cutting Medicare And Slashing Social Security?

Ostensibly this ad is about the Florida gubernatorial race. But even if you've never set foot on Floridians soil, please watch it, because it's about where you live and where everyone in your family lives. Andrew Gillum is the progressive mayor of Tallahassee I've personally known for over 20 years-- which was why Blue America was able to endorse him on the day he declared he was running-- and Ron DeSantis is a far right Trumpist with a record in Congress for voting to cut Social Security and Medicare, just like virtually every Republican in the House.

Andrew's campaign, on releasing the ad Tuesday morning noted that "It’s no surprise Ron DeSantis has refused to release a healthcare plan-- because his record is clear: slashing Medicare and Social Security and even to raising the retirement age. Ron DeSantis’ record speaks for itself and as governor, he’d continue these attacks on hardworking Floridians. Ron DeSantis does not have Floridians’ best interest at heart, and he has shown it over and over again. Andrew Gillum has a vision for our state where Florida seniors can retire with dignity and Ron DeSantis is more worried about protecting billionaires; Ron DeSantis is wrong for Florida."

Like Andrew Gillum in Florida, Randy Bryce is seeing a flood of sewer money being used to smear him and destroy him as a person. No one has ever seen such a filthy campaign in Wisconsin. But, like Andrew, he's staying strong and keeping the issues that matter to people front ands center [Please help us respond to the filth Ryan's sleazy SuperPAC has been unleashing by contributing to the IronStache Fund.] This morning, Randy told us that "This ad-- like the approach we are taking in Southeastern Wisconsin-- demonstrates that voters aren't looking for soundbites. Social Security and Medicare are way too important to be danced around with poll tested lingo like "putting seniors first." Folks don't want to hear that crap. They want to know what you will do and what the other person will do, period. We are taking that message right to the voters, and it is paying off."

In the Texas 10th, Mike Siegel is picking up steam after appearing on Rachel Maddow, winning a victory for voting rights, and receiving the Houston Chronicle endorsement this morning. Siegel is running on a Medicare for All platform, while his opponent Michael McCaul celebrated his vote to repeal Obamacare. In a district that rates health care as its top priority-- regardless of party affiliation-- Siegel is poised to shock the country if voter turnout breaks the right way. "McCaul, he told us this morning, essentially voted to kill his own constituents. McCaul’s only chance to win re-election is the ‘straight ticket’ option here in Texas. Very few voters recognize him as a true representative of their interests."

J.D. Scholten's extremist opponent, Steve King didn't just passively vote against healthcare at every opportunity he got. King famously thundered about the Affordable Care Act, "Rip it out by the roots!" I asked J.D. if healthcare is still resonating in rural Iowa as a big issue. He told me that "On the trail, health care is the number one issue voters ask us about. I regularly drive across this district in our campaign RV and as you can imagine, we have to stop a lot to fuel up. I constantly see donation boxes at gas stations, to help with a loved one’s medical bills. We’re the richest nation in the world. We shouldn’t have to crowdsource our health care costs."