Dems pleased that Ryan proposal makes Medicare an issue

Democrats have launched a new assault on Republicans over Medicare, and they're thanking none other than the GOP for the campaign fodder.

The backlash began when Republican Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) (pictured, right) included Medicare modifications in his recent budget proposal.

The changes include: offering senior citizens federal assistance to purchase private health insurance instead of Medicare; allotting money to seniors based on income; and increasing the age of eligibility for Medicare by two months per year until it hits 67 in 2033. These changes would take effect in 2022 (impacting anyone currently 55 years of age or younger.)

Ryan and his supporters argue the changes are not radical and are necessary to reduce federal spending.

But Democrats and the White House are casting the reforms as "Medicare cuts," phrasing polls show would be unpopular among nearly all segments of the population (even anti-government tea partiers recently polled). That argument has become the crux of the Democrats' latest assault on the GOP.

The new independent "House Majority PAC," as well as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, recently made Medicare their focus via ad campaigns targeting members of the House who voted for Ryan's plan. The budget will "end Medicare as we know it" the House Majority PAC claimed in its recent radio blitz.

The president has issued similar damning statements. "Republicans will end Medicare as we know it," Obama said during his deficit plan speech to the nation April 13.

Words such as those will hit home for many Americans and work to vilify the GOP.

Glenn Thrush and Abby Phillip write for Politico today that Democrats view the Ryan proposal as a way to help the party shore up support from older voters. "It finally gives us an argument to make with seniors… It's a godsend," a Democratic operative allied with Obama told Politico. He said that the issue could boost senior support in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Florida.

But how do Americans really feel?

A new survey released Wednesday by Gallup shows that seniors favor Ryan's budget plan over the president's proposal. Forty-eight percent of Americans 65 and over surveyed said they support Ryan's plan, while 42 percent back the president's plan. Among adults of all ages surveyed, Americans are split, with 44 percent favoring Obama's plan and 43 percent favoring Ryan's.

But there has been much anecdotal evidence of displeasure specifically aimed at Ryan's Medicare reforms, which the Democrats have only recently begun to trump in the media. Based on an informal survey, the Arkansas News recently found the Medicare vote to be a liability for the GOP, and just yesterday, television cameras captured angry constituents at a town hall meeting with Republican Rep. Dan Webster of Florida.

At the Florida event, one attendee reportedly held a sign that read "keep your hands off my Medicare," and a woman screamed that the congressman voted to give corporations a tax cut "but take away Medicare for people like me," CNN reports.

Watch video of the raucous town hall event below:

CNN noted that it was unclear how much of the negative reaction at Tuesday's town hall was "genuine" and how much was "ginned up" by Democratic organizers. The network said it chose to cover the Florida town hall after Democrats said they would be targeting the event.

Regardless, the issue has been documented at town halls across the country (by Republicans as well as Democrats) as members are home for holiday recess.

Yesterday, Reuters reported that Republicans admit that they are taking a second look at their Medicare rhetoric following some negative public response. Aides indicated that the GOP is examining how to reassure those aged 55 and older about the proposed changes.

"Some members are feeling the heat," one congressional aide told the news service.

(Photo of Ryan: Jeffrey Phelps/AP)