WATCH: GOP Candidates Back Away From Ryan Plan

Most Republicans have been dogmatic in their support of Paul Ryan’s controversial budget plan, which would end Medicare as we know it, increase the tax burden on the middle class, and largely dismantle almost every function of the federal government.

Not every Republican is on board with Ryan’s Dickensian vision for America, however. This morning, Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg — who is locked in a tight Senate battle with incumbent Democrat Jon Tester — released a new television ad touting his opposition to the Ryan budget.

“Rehberg refused to support a Republican budget plan that could harm the Medicare plan so many Montana seniors rely on,” the ad declares.

Rehberg’s attempt to distance himself from Ryan is rare for a Republican in this campaign cycle, but it’s not unprecedented. Earlier this week, West Virginia Rep. David McKinley — who won his 2010 election by a very thin margin — sent out mailers reminding his constituents that he voted against the Ryan plan earlier this year.

“Congressman McKinley recently voted against the 2012 budget passed by the House because of the plan’s negative impact on northern West Virginia seniors,” reads a flier from the congressman’s office. “The plan would privatize Medicare for future retirees, raise the retirement age…. The Congressional Budget Office determined the plan would nearly double out of pocket health care costs for future retirees.”

Rehberg and McKinley’s messages are problematic for the Republican party, because they affirm a key Democratic talking point: that Ryan’s budget would harm senior citizens who rely on Medicare.

If more Republicans who are locked in tight races decide to distance themselves from Ryan, it could make things especially awkward for Mitt Romney, who is essentially campaigning on turning Ryan’s plan into the law of the land.

Start your day with National Memo Newsletter

Know first.

The opinions that matter. Delivered to your inbox every morning

President Biden Signs Spending Bill To Avert Shutdown, Urges Ukraine Aid
President Joe Biden with First Lady Jill Biden as he signs gun and school safety legislation

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law a $1.2 trillion spending package, keeping the U.S. government funded through a fiscal year that began six months ago.Biden described the package, which Congress overwhelmingly passed in the early hours of Saturday, as investing in Americans as well as strengthening the economy and national security. The Democratic president urged Congress to pass other bills stuck in the legislative chambers.

Keep reading...Show less
January 6 riot

Police munitions explode as Trump supporters riot at US Capitol on January 6, 2021

Photo by Leah Millis/REUTERS

It may come as a surprise to hear that I actually agree with Donald Trump on something: America does have a two-tiered system of justice. In fact, you could say I beat him to it since I reached that conclusion long before the former president adopted it as his mantra.

Keep reading...Show less
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}