Elder policy fuels MN Senate race
The two leading U.S. Senate hopefuls used an AARP debate Tuesdaynight to draw distinctions, not just in differences of policy but inhonesty and effectiveness.
The debate gave Republican Mark Kennedy and Democrat Amy Klobucharthe chance to highlight significant differences on major issues, with afocus on those relating to senior citizens.
Kennedy defended the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefitpassed by Congress in 2003 as flawed but good for seniors, whileKlobuchar criticized it as she called for easy importation ofprescription drugs from Canada and for the government to negotiate withdrug companies for better prices.
“It’s not perfect but it is a plan that is providing coverage forseniors,” Kennedy said. “They don’t have to choose between healthcoverage and food on the table.”
Klobuchar said the plan amounted to a “$90 billion giveaway to drugcompanies,” and criticized Kennedy for opposing prescription drugimports from Canada, pointing out imports are supported by Minnesota’sRepublican governor, Tim Pawlenty.
Even as they talked policy, the candidates repeatedly returned tosome now-familiar lines of attack, with Kennedy criticizing Klobucharfor “saying one thing and doing another” and Klobuchar arguing thatKennedy repeatedly distorts her positions.