Political Attack Ads Target the Elderly: Reid, Kagan, Angle, More
With an eye to November, Democrats and Republicans alike are stirring up fears of a Medicare phase-out and raided retirement funds. From Harry Reid vs. Sharron Angle to the 60 Plus Association vs. everyone, WATCH VIDEO of the most audacious senior-targeting scare ads.
Jack Conway vs. Rand Paul
In this ad sponsored by Rand Paul’s Kentucky Senate opponent, Jack Conway, senior citizens rail against Paul, saying he’s “off the wall” for wanting a $2,000 deductible on Medicare.
60 Plus Association vs. Steve Kagan
The 60 Plus Association has a slate of ads deriding various candidates for siding with the Obama administration on health-care reform. In this one, Wisconsin Senate candidate Steve Kagan is put on the grill. “We may never know why Kagan supported Pelosi over our seniors,” the ad laments.
60 Plus Association vs. John Boccieri
In another ad from the 60 Plus Association, an older woman says, “John Boccieri betrayed Ohio seniors” by supporting “Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda.” An identical ad takes on Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
Sharron Angle vs. Harry Reid
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In her ad, Nevada Senate hopeful Sharron Angle tells a room full of concerned-looking seniors that they need to stop her Democratic opponent, Harry Reid, “from raiding the Social Security Trust Fund.” If she is voted into the Senate, Angle promises to keep the government from “raid[ing] our retirement.”
Harry Reid vs. Sharron Angle
Harry Reid, naturally, quickly fired back. “Are you kidding?” asks the ad, which goes on to use cable news clips of pundits poking holes in Angle’s campaign slant. On an MSNBC spot, Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun says, “The real Sharron Angle is the one we saw in the primary who came on my program and said, ‘I want to phase out Social Security.’”
Steve Kagan vs. Reid Ribble
The phrase “phase out Social Security” seems to be a popular one—it also makes an appearance in this ad from Steve Kagan attacking his Wisconsin opponent, Republican Reid Ribble.
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