Could the Republicans’ symbolic spending plan hurt them with core GOP voters? Nearly all House Republicans voted Friday for a plan that will cut some $5.8 trillion from the budget over the next decade—but the plan will almost eliminate Medicare from the budget. Gutting Medicare via the budget, developed by Tea Party favorite Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), could alienate the over-55 set—a key Republican demographic. It also runs the risk of the angering independents, who have been shown in polls to be less likely to support cuts to federal programs. Despite the support of all but four congressional Republicans, Republican presidential contender Tim Pawlenty refused to condemn or support the plan and instead said he would come up with his own deficit-reduction plan—although other contenders Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann threw their support behind Ryan’s budget.
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