Republicans in swing districts who voted for Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which included plans to privatize Medicare and Medicaid in the future, are facing a fierce backlash back home during town hall meetings. At a recent event for Rep. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania, one attendee accused him of trying to “destroy Medicare.” Ryan himself has faced tough questions—and boos—at his own meet-and-greets. House Republican leaders are holding a conference call on Monday, and part of the call will be spent going over how to discuss the vote with constituents. The stakes are high: Seniors voted for Republicans in heavier numbers than usual in 2010, largely because of concern over changes to Medicare and Medicaid under Barack Obama’s health-care plan. Now there is a danger that they will oust Republicans just as quickly in 2012, for similar reasons.
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