Moderate democrats. Women. The elderly. Politicians. Voters. Whoever you are, you’re probably being targeted like a laser by health care lobbyists about your allegiance on health care legislation.
Those lobbyists aren’t medical organizations or arms of political parties. They’re traditionally non-medical entities like Moveon.org and seniors activists. They’re launching unprecedented campaigns to try and attack politicians and constituents for their beliefs on this controversial issue. And they’re concentrating high-dollar expenditures on swing races in the 2010 mid-term elections.
The 60-Plus Association is the first Republican group to join the fray. 60-Plus is targeting Earl Pomeroy, a Democrat from North Dakota, along with at least half a dozen other Representatives, for their “yes” vote on Pelosicare.
“I don't want the government choosing my doctor. Or telling me I can't have the tests I need. North Dakotans won't forget,” the ad says. 60-Plus has committed $2 million in the past to trying to defeat health care; now that it’s passed the House, their priorities are still the same.
“President Obama shouldn’t be scaring seniors with the threat of Washington bureaucrats refusing care or making health care decisions instead of your doctor,” said Jim Martin, President of 60-Plus.
MoveOn.org’s main web page has been transformed into a pitch for constituents to contact their Representative, depending on that Representative’s health care vote.
“This is the first time a health care bill has ever passed the House,” it reads. “How did they vote? Click here! Health care for America now!”
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