Progressives were hoping to turn the recall battle against Wisconsin state Sen. Alberta Darling (R) into a referendum on Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) unpopular plan to end Medicare as we know it.
They thought their chance would come at a Friday fundraiser for the embattled Darling, which her campaign told TPM they expected Ryan to attend. Ryan subsequently told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel he wasn’t going, potentially closing the door on a juicy opportunity for opponents to tie Darling to Ryan’s plan.
But then Darling gave opponents what they wanted anyway — a big ol’ Ryan bear hug, right on camera, calling the Wisconsin representative a hero.
Greg Sargent has the details on the video, which you can watch below:
