Is GOP selling of Drug benefit getting traction?

[papau]

The Democratic conventional wisdom http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-09-bush-medicare_x.htm about the politics of the prescription drug program is that the lousy structure, high cost due to the payoff to drug companies, complicated enrollment, and an unnecessary enrollment deadline to avoid higher costs makes this a Dem issue in 06 - are we right? A Poll has respondents saying their expenses for prescription drugs decreased — 42 percent, against 19 percent who said they were paying more -40% of older people now say program will reduce costs compared to 20% saying this last December. In April 36% of people thought the program was working, up from 27% in January, and 57% in April say they're more likely to vote for someone who supported the program, up from 53% in January.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/washington/10bush.html
May 10, 2006
G.O.P. Sees Big Voting Bloc Flocking to Drug Program

By JIM RUTENBERG and MARJORIE CONNELLY

SUN CITY CENTER, Fla., May 9 — A few months ago, President Bush's prescription drug plan seemed to be another White House initiative going wrong. The people it was intended to help complained that the plan was too complicated. Conservatives complained that it was a giant giveaway.

This week, Mr. Bush is storming through this state, rich with older residents, as the main salesman for a plan that aides say is now emerging as a surprise plus for Republicans in a rocky election season.

Rather than angering a crucial bloc, aides say, the plan gives older voters, who go to the polls more reliably than younger ones, something that always endears politicians to constituents — money in the pocket.

"I think it's going to be value added as we go forward," Dan Bartlett, the White House counselor, said at the end of a presidential event here encouraging people to sign up for the program before the deadline on Monday. Asked whether Republicans should promote the plan as they campaign this summer, Mr. Bartlett said, "They'd be smart to."<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/washington/10bush.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Hand]

1. I'd call it a combination of wishful thinking and desperation. nt