NYT: G.O.P. Sees Big Voting Bloc Flocking to Drug Program

[DeepModem Mom]

G.O.P. Sees Big Voting Bloc Flocking to Drug Program
By JIM RUTENBERG and MARJORIE CONNELLY
Published: May 10, 2006

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....

***

Democrats say Republicans are fooling themselves if they now believe that the plan will help them in November, saying people continue to complain about it, especially about the deadline. White House officials point to anecdotal evidence that the program is growing in popularity as people pass through the enrollment difficulties and into the savings the different subplans offer.

The latest New York Times/CBS News Poll seems to support their argument that opinion is turning. Many respondents who said they had signed up said their expenses for prescription drugs decreased — 42 percent, against 19 percent who said they were paying more....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/washington/10bush.html

[grytpype]

1. Wait until they hit the "donut hole."

Where they have to pay 100% of their costs. They'll go nuts.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. and the plans they signed up with, raise the costs in mid year, as they

can do.

[marmar]

2. "drug plan seemed to be another White House initiative going wrong.."

Umm, 'cause it is.

[AX10]

3. Seems like propaganda.

They only interviewed two people.