The “not invented here syndrome” is alive and well on Capitol Hill, and nowhere are its symptoms more pronounced than the politics surrounding the recently passed prescription drug law.
A Democratic consultant recently urged the party to “define the current law as unacceptable — not as something that can be fixed.” Following that advice, on March 12, both Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California issued separate statements calling for Congress to take another vote and attempt to repeal the current law.
Ironically, many believe that had this bill been drafted and proposed by a Democratic president and his party in Congress, Democrats would have been tripping over each other in their dash to cast “yes” votes. Yet because Republicans crafted the measure, and its passage may neutralize a potentially major political issue, Democrats have mounted a ferocious campaign to discredit and criticize the legislation.
It is unclear whether their efforts are the result of anger among Democratic voters about the law or if the congressional tactics are whipping up the party base. Whether congressional Democrats’ activities are a cause or an effect, significant differences exist in how voters from the two parties view this legislation and how the law will affect voter behavior. Those are the results of the most recentAmerican Survey, conducted among 800 registered voters nationwide February 23-March 1, 2004 (margin of error +/-3.5 percent).
For example, of those who say prescription drugs will play an important role in the 2004 election, 49 percent are Democrats and only 21 percent are Republicans. Moreover, of those who think the legislation will “mostly harm” seniors, 50 percent are Democrats compared to only 18 percent who are Republicans. Finally, while an overwhelming percentage of voters agree that the legislation is a “first step to improving Medicare,” Democrats make up the bulk of those who disagree. Of those who “disagree,” 49 percent are Democrats and 21 percent are Republicans.
For their part, Republicans appear less motivated by the new law — for or against. In a classic case of cross pressure, some Republicans have expressed concern about the cost of the bill or that its reforms do not go far enough, yet also want to support it because it’s a step in the right direction of Medicare reform, a well-identified presidential initiative. It potentially co-opts a historically Democratic political initiative with seniors.
The survey suggests that Republicans should explore ways to maximize support among their party faithful to combat Democratic intensity against the measure. The legislation’s emphasis on promoting private-sector involvement in Medicare as a way to promote competition, its preventive-care, cost-saving initiative and the bill’s authorization of Health Savings Accounts are all reform principles conservatives should rally around.
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