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GOP Ramps Up Attacks on AARP Over Health Care

Republicans see 'backroom deals' over reform

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2009 4:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – The "right-wing commentariat" has a new villain to replace ACORN, and it has a far more familiar acronym: AARP. The basic line of attack is that the AARP has struck "backroom deals" with Democrats on health care reform to steer insurance business its way, writes Evan McMorris. The House GOP has issued talking points, picked up yesterday by Michelle Malkin and the conservative Human Events magazine. More are sure to follow.

"They're using their standard methods to target us," an AARP official tells Talking Points Memo. The lobbying group has weathered such storms before but says the tone is different this time. Instead of conflicts of interest, it's being accused of corruption and secret deals. The big GOP push will be to have the group classified as an insurance company because it gets royalties from licensing its brand to insurers. One GOP congressman says he's already begun an investigation into the possibility.

President Obama participates in an AARP tele-town hall on health care, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in Washington.
President Obama participates in an AARP tele-town hall on health care, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
LionKing
Oct 29, 2009 5:49 AM CDT
(overheard at the lastest gop purity party convention) "Lets see now...who have we alienated to the point of no return? african americans, check; hispanics, check; immigrants, check; women, check; gay and lesbians, check; liberals and moderates, check; muslims and arabs, check; intellectuals, check; youth, check; I guess all that's left to demonize and drive away are senior citizens, those facist commie socialist welfare mooches!" I suspect red headed people must be quaking in their boots knowing their time against this juggernaut of stupid and crazy is coming! Jesus christ what is wrong with these idiots?
dj-spellchecka
Oct 29, 2009 4:36 AM CDT
good grief...the only age group the gop won last year was those over 65...and now they wanna go after the old folks head lobby. shrinkage!
Spudsy
Oct 29, 2009 4:30 AM CDT
If the GOP is shooting at old folks now they are really going to have a rough time at the polls in 2012.

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