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GOP pressuring Walz, Peterson on health care
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Minnesota's Republican Party cranked up the pressure today on two of the state's Democratic congressmen as part of the GOP's broad attempt to derail the Obama administration's health care reform plan.
The party will begin airing a television ad in the districts of Reps. Tim Walz and Collin Peterson, asking their constituents to call the representatives and register their opposition to the overhaul.
The party in Minnesota and nationwide is trying to rally opposition to "the government takeover of our health care system," said Tony Sutton, the state party's chairman.
The Democratic-sponsored bills pending in Congress "would put Washington bureaucrats between patients and their doctors," Sutton said.
The ad, originally produced by the Republican National Committee, will be airing on stations in Rochester, Mankato, Alexandria and Fargo until early next week, Sutton said. He would describe the extent of the ad only as "a five-figure buy."
The ad is a parody of pharmaceutical ads, mocking "Reforma," its description of the health care reform proposal. "It's a little clever, a little humorous, so it's more likely to be watched," Sutton said.
According to the ad's script, "side effects" of the reform push "include bureaucratic waste and delay." "Not recommended for anyone who may need actual medical care."
Peterson and Walz are the best targets for the GOP among Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation because "it's a lot easier to influence these folks," Sutton said.
Peterson has said he will probably oppose the reform plan if it resembles bills currently being considered. "We're influencing" Peterson, Sutton said. "We need to hold his feet to the fire -- that's why we're doing this.."
Party leaders planned to follow up the unveiling of the ad with press conferences in both congressional districts today.
The party's push comes at a time when congressional town hall meetings across the country have become flashpoints of often-raucous opposition to the health care plan.
The ad "is the only way the public's going to interact since they're not holding town hall meetings," Sutton said.
Walz was holding a meeting in a private home in Rochester even as the Republicans were announcing their push against him.
Responding to Republican criticism that he's ducking public meetings, Walz said today he'll hold one to discuss proposed health care changes as early as next week.
Walz called the GOP criticism "ludicrous."
Peterson, criticized recently for saying he doesn't hold town halls because they attract conspiracy theorists, announced plans to hold town hall meetings in Willmar on Friday and Bemidji on Monday.
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