Empowering Grandmas in NY-26

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) went on Fox News Sunday this weekend, interviewed by Chris Wallace. Some of his views on Medicare. The transcript is here.  The emphasis is mine.

WALLACE: Well, I wouldn't say it's subtle. But, question -- what do you think of the Ryan plan on Medicare?

MCCONNELL: Well, what Paul has done here is implement a premium support proposal at the end of the period, which is a very sensible way to go to try to save Medicare...  So, let's just stipulate that nobody is trying to throw grandma off the cliff. Medicare is in serious trouble, serious trouble, and soon. The president would ration care, which will adversely impact grandma.

What Paul Ryan would do is to empower grandma in the private market, to shop and get the best possible deal. But regardless of which approach you take, Medicare is going to change or it won't be there for anyone.

Because after all, EVERY grandma I know can't wait to get into the private market to get the best deal on health insurance.  No, your average grandma doesn't have enough to worry about in her every day life.  And there is never enough empowerment in America, anyway.

Today is the special election in NY-26, a heavily Republican district that may go Democratic tonight.

This district actually voted for Republican (and Tea Partier) Carl Paladino in last November's governor's race, when Andrew Cuomo beat him with 62% of the vote statewide.  It's close, close, close.  Some think it may come down Medicare. From today's Buffalo News:

The campaign for the special election in the 26th Congressional District ended Monday much as it began -- mired in squabbling over the future of Medicare.

And with the debate about Medicare continuing to affect the tight three-way race, one-time Republican front-runner Jane L. Corwin acknowledged that she would have addressed the issue earlier and differently if she had it to do over again.

"I probably would have addressed the Medicare message -- coming out at my opponents -- quicker," Corwin said in response to a reporter's question at the Amherst Senior Center.

"I have to admit that when she started making these comments, I thought these are so outrageous that probably no one would ever believe it," she said, referring to Democratic opponent Kathleen C. Hochul.

"Apparently some people did."

So, we are left to see today how many grandmas in NY-26 will vote to empower themselves in the private market and shop for the best possible deal they can get on health insurance.  The country is awaiting the outcome.