Paul Ryan Explains Why His Plan to End Medicare Had Nothing to Do with NY-26 Congressional Loss

by Ryan Oringer

In the past week, Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan’s health care plan has taken a hit. From Newt Gingrich’s comment that it is "right wing social engineering," (according to Mr. Gingrich, this quoting of him is a falsehood…) leading up to yesterday’s special election in New York, where a Democrat won a long held Republican seat, a result that many are attributing to Ryan's plan.

In regards to the election, Ryan claims that it is a result of everything except for the plan itself…

"I saw the ads," Ryan said. "I saw burning people's Medicare cards. If you can scare seniors into thinking that their current benefits are being affected, that's going to have an effect. And that is exactly what took place here. So yes, yes, it's demagoguery, its scaring seniors."

Ryan also chalked up Hochul’s win to the candidacy of Jack Davis, a self-funded candidate who drew more votes than the margin of victory.

Yes, yes. People’s reaction to the plan and the New York election must be a result of scare tactics. And also because there was some guy who ran as a tea party candidate. Also, it's been sort of rainy in New York lately and people are just kind of grumpy about everything around here. And on top of that, the American idol finalists are both country singers (ugh). And let's not forget that people are too focused on Arnold's love children to pay attention to the issues.

And uh, there must be other good reasons, but certainly, it has nothing to do with the plan itself.

Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

Tags: House of Representatives, Jane Corwin, Kathy Hochul, Medicare, New York, Paul Ryan, Republicans, Tea Party