TPM Editor’s Blog

Someone Should Ask

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine (VA)

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s likely that if Mitt Romney wins on November 6th, he’ll move to abolish Medicare in the spring and replace it with a voucher system. That’s in addition to repealing the Affordable Care Act and pushing through a major upper income tax cut.

Tax policies can be reversible. Ending Medicare within six months from today probably won’t be. Obviously, it’s a non-issue if President Obama wins of course. But that’s an open question. The PPP poll out this morning with Romney showing a four point lead should make that clear.

So if Romney wins that will mean it all comes down to the Senate. So the future of Medicare will rest with Elizabeth Warren, Claire McCaskill, Heidi Heitkamp, Tim Kaine, Jon Tester and others running for Senate. If Dems hold the Senate there’s a fighting chance to save Medicare.

So what about their opponents, has any asked Scott Brown whether he’ll support or oppose phasing out Medicare and replacing it with a voucher system? Denny Rehberg? George Allen?

This is now the critical issue and it’s no longer hypothetical . This could all come down the pike and be over in six months. For people who want Medicare to be there for them, it would be a very good idea to get these folks on the record.

Josh Marshall

Josh Marshall is editor and publisher of TalkingPointsMemo.com.

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