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To: greenspirit who wrote (3340)	7/12/2003 10:42:21 AM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 793866

Democrats Attack G.O.P. in TV Ads on Medicare Bill By CARL HULSE - NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON, July 11 - Fearful of losing ground to Republicans on the potent issue of Medicare, House Democrats today began broadcasting television commercials attacking Republican lawmakers around the country for their support of the House-passed plan to create a new prescription drug benefit. Democrats, who have long considered the health plan for the elderly one of their signature programs, say they are so determined to protect their legacy that they have taken the step of starting an advertising campaign more than a year before Election Day and even before the final version of the legislation has cleared the House and Senate. The commercials will be broadcast in eight Congressional districts in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Hampshire and New Mexico. They feature an older actress wringing her hands over the plan. The advertisements criticize Republican lawmakers for backing an approach to Medicare that Democrats say would steer those covered by the federal health program into private plans and leave holes in protection from high drug costs. "The Republican plan has no limits on premiums," the woman says, "and a massive gap in coverage that will still cost many seniors thousands." Republicans say their plan provides a major drug benefit but links it to structural overhauls to increase the role of private health plans in Medicare and keep the program solvent. The early commercials illustrate the central role that the drug plan is likely to play in next year's campaigns. The advertisements are also a clear sign that Democrats are worried that Republicans and President Bush, with their support for a new $400 billion benefit, are poised to get credit on the issue. "I think it is essentially a fact that the historic advantage that we have had as a party on this issue has significantly eroded," said Carter Eskew, a Democratic strategist. "In the short term, Democrats are behind the message eight ball, at least temporarily." Ever since spots for the insurance industry featuring the fictional couple Harry and Louise helped derail the Clinton administration's health care plan, television advertisements on health issues have proliferated. Representative Robert T. Matsui, Democrat of California and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is behind the House advertising drive, said the advertisements had two purposes: to exert pressure on the Republican lawmakers who will negotiate the final shape of the Medicare plan and to hold off Republicans in their push to cut into traditional Democratic political support on Medicare. "They will make inroads as long as the seniors don't know what is in the bill," Mr. Matsui said. House Democrats plan town meetings this month to lay out their complaints about the House bill. The advertisements are the committee's first television commercials of the 2004 campaign. Committee officials would not say how much they are spending on the effort, though one said it was "enough of a buy to be felt and heard in these districts." The commercials are scheduled to run for at least 10 days. Republican officials said the advertising buy was proof that Democrats are panicking that they were losing their stature on Medicare. "This is a big feather in our cap," said Carl Forti, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee. "And it is another kitchen-table issue like education that were Democratic strengths that we are taking away from them." He noted that nine Democrats voted for the bill as well. Mr. Matsui and other Democrats disputed that Republicans were usurping their signature issue. They point to recent polls that show voters by significant margins still believe Democrats are more likely than Republicans to make drugs more affordable. To a lesser degree, surveys also indicate that Democrats are considered stronger advocates for Medicare. Party strategists say Democrats can still score points if they make known the details of the House plan in particular. "What the Democrats have on their hands in the House bill is an opportunity much more than a problem," said the Democratic pollster Geoff Garin. "There is a stark difference between what seniors are looking for and what was produced." The House and Senate versions of Medicare legislation are different and this week, Senate Democrats made public a letter laying down markers for what should emerge from House-Senate negotiations. They urged lawmakers to steer clear of a House approach that relies more heavily on private insurance than did the Senate plan, which drew significant Democratic support. Mr. Matsui said the eight Republican lawmakers were chosen because they were judged to be vulnerable by the party in the upcoming elections and had large numbers of older voters in their districts. "What did the president say, `Bring 'em on,' " said Representative Clay Shaw, a Florida Republican who is one of the subjects of the advertisements. "If they want to waste their money at this point telling untruths about Republican members of Congress, I would like to see them use all their money." The spots are also being shown in the districts of Representatives Mike D. Rogers of Alabama, Bob Beauprez of Colorado, Max Burns of Georgia, Sam Graves of Missouri, Heather A. Wilson of New Mexico, Steve Pearce of New Mexico and Charles Bass of New Hampshire. nytimes.com

To: greenspirit who wrote (3340)	7/12/2003 11:41:54 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793866

the Tomahawk is an awesome weapon. It was in it's time, but that time passed, IMO. Very few uses that can't be done better and cheaper by JDAMs or Laser guided bombs. Basically, it is a WWII "Buzz Bomb" with better guidance. Cost better than 250K each, plus the delivery by Sub is enormously expensive. It flys at 600 MPH, and the target can be gone before it gets there. That is why Clinton could not get Bin Ladin with one in 98. And once launched, no recall. You could deliver the JDAM or Laser bomb by 747s with bomb racks, if you needed to. 25K cost, cheap delivery system, as low as 3 minute TOT.