Tea Party Group Turns Health Care Glitches into Anti-Dem Ads - East Idaho News
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Tea Party Group Turns Health Care Glitches into Anti-Dem Ads

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GETTY 102313 ObamacareProtest?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1382578065831MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — The Affordable Care Act’s website glitches have given Republicans a fresh anti-Obamacare message for the 2014 campaign.

The Tea Party-backed group Americans for Prosperity Wednesday announced a slew of new television, radio and Web ads criticizing two Democrats, Rep. Scott Peters of California and Rep. Ron Barber of Arizona, for their support of the 3-year-old law.

Both Peters and Barber are top targets for Republicans in 2014.

Specifically, these ads highlight the glitches that have plagued the site and the two Democratic lawmakers’ support for the law.

“What if later bigger glitches prevent my family’s access to care?” the narrator asks. “Or I can’t get the surgery my doctor thinks I need because of some policy in Washington?”

Americans for Prosperity has also taken out ads and launched a ground game to support two Republicans, Rep. Steve Southerland of Florida and Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado, who oppose the health care law.

In total, it’s a $2 million commitment, according to Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips, which includes “grassroots” canvassing and phone banking in the four districts. That’s on top of the $5 million it spent during the August recess on the issue of the health care law. The group is funded and founded by billionaire businessmen Charles and David Koch.

The political narrative was consumed days ago by the damage the government shutdown could do to the Republican Party brand. But now the websites’ problems have created a new headache for Democrats and have given conservatives an opportunity to change the subject.

Phillips told ABC News that his organization is doubling down on its opposition to the law in 2014 House races.

“I think our side wins, the effort to repeal Obamacare wins, when we focus specifically on the impact that Obamacare has or is going to have on individual Americans and their loved ones,” Phillips said.

“We view this as a long-term effort,” he added. “It’s going to be necessary through next year and through next November.”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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