DSCC To Tie GOP Senate Candidates To The Presidential Fight Over Social Security

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) with Former Governor and Current Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (R-MA)
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The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee is planning to take the high-profile squabble over Social Security in the Republican presidential contest down-ballot, TPM has learned.

The DSCC is readying attacks on several Republican Senate candidates — including Scott Brown (MA), George Allen (VA), Dean Heller (NV), Dennis Rehberg (MT), Josh Mandel (OH), Jeff Flake (AZ), as well as candidates in New Mexico and Florida — that seek to tie them to the back-and-forth on Social Security at Monday night’s presidential debate.

Democrats have seized on the fight between Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, saying that it showcases a general acceptance for making highly unpopular and fundamental changes to the program. Perry, of course, has suggested scrapping Social Security entirely in favor of state-run programs, while Romney has said he supports voluntary private accounts for those who want to opt-out of the system as it exists today.

The new DSCC campaign shows how far Democrats think they can take that message, using the scrap amongst the presidential candidates as a hook to bring the Republican calls for entitlement reform up again and ding the candidates running for Senate.

Here’s a sample of what that language sounds like, from a release set to be sent out against Brown today:

Massachusetts Senate candidate Scott Brown must have had a big smile on his face during last night’s Tea Party debate, as Republican presidential candidates argued about who had the “best” plan to scrap Social Security, a program the candidates called “a ponzi scheme” and “criminal.” Brown voted for a plan that guts not just Social Security but Medicare too!

That line refers to Brown’s vote for “cut, cap and balance,” which Democrats say would lead to “deep cuts” in Social Security and Medicare.

Update: The NRSC is not impressed with the new Democratic campaign strategy. From spokesperson Brian Walsh:

It’s worth noting that national Democrats said the same exact thing last year about the stimulus, about their health care bill, and about their Wall Street regulation bill. And they also said the same thing earlier this year about Medicare and the Ryan budget. And each and every time, voters have rejected their desperate spin because Americans are focused on jobs and the economy, at a time when Democrats in Washington are maxing out the government credit card and growing government.

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