Democrats’ Oldies Tour Lauds Social Security, Medicare

The Democratic strategy in the 2010 election is simple: Change the subject. And given the subject on everyone’s mind, who can blame them? That subject is the economy and related matters like spending, the deficit, debt, and President Obama. These are the last things Democrats want to talk about.

Unable to make a sizable dent in unemployment, Democrats are on the political equivalent of a golden oldies tour, pledging support for Social Security, Medicare and other venerable programs while trying to stoke voter fears about Republican intentions.

More than nostalgia is at stake as Democrats court a series of key voting blocs 11 weeks before midterm elections in which Republicans are making a strong drive to gain control of the House as well as several governorships, and perhaps even the Senate.

In his most recent radio and Internet address, President Obama accused some Republicans of “pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall.”

Marking the 75th anniversary of the program’s creation, he said, “We have an obligation to keep that promise, to safeguard Social Security for our seniors, people with disabilities and all Americans — today, tomorrow and forever.”

Obama did not name any Republican by name, but one prominent GOP lawmaker, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, has proposed giving workers under age 55 an option of investing in a private account rather than remain in the government-run Social Security system.

In response, Republicans say changes are needed to preserve the program’s financial soundness, and accuse Democrats of a diversionary tactic in a campaign dominated by voter concerns about the economy. They “are looking to change the subject to anything but their failed record on jobs,” the Republican National Committee rebutted.

Read more at the Washington Examiner