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Will Medicare become a defining issue in the 2012 race?

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    Paul Ryan's addition to GOP ticket puts subject front and center

  • Duration 5:02
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Accusations flying on the campaign trail over Medicare the Obama campaign says Republican vice presidential candidate.

Paul Ryan is a threat to the program Ryan tells Fox's Brit Hume the other way around.

We're the ones containing the guarantee of Medicare for people in or near retirement and -- half three format for the younger generation.

In order to make the commitment stick for the current generation pres Obama.

Is actually damaging Medicare for current seniors it's irrefutable.

And that's why I think this is debate we want -- -- that's debate we're gonna win.

Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson as a Republican and member of the Senate Budget Committee he joins us live it's a pleasure senator have you this morning thank you for being here.

Morning Greg are you doing -- fight.

In Medicare is often described about a metaphor third rail of politics any politician who -- touch it suffers a but I wonder if it's different this time around might Paul Ryan because of his intimate knowledge on the subject and uncommon eloquence on it might he change all of that.

I think so I mean just -- -- sad and this incredibly important point.

His plan which is by the way bipartisan worked out with read liberal senator Ron Wyden from Oregon.

Preserves.

Medicare for current retirees and Grassley people 55 and -- -- Medicare doesn't change at all.

But Paul's talking about -- he's he's looking for democracy he realizes that we don't do anything.

Which is the extreme position Medicare goes bankrupt in 224.

You're just twelve years out.

And sort Paul's doing is he's talking about saving Medicare for future generations -- -- of the young people I talked to that.

You know I asked what would expect to get Medicare they say nothing because they see the numbers to so -- but you know the Republican plan is about how do we restructure the program to save it for future generation.

I -- read read the Ryan Wyden -- as -- point out last night and over 55 you get to keep Medicare under 55 to get a choice -- can keep it right or opt wore a private plan paid for by the government so when the president says as he did.

Two days ago.

That the GOP ticket will end Medicare as we know it.

Plus he's also running and -- that would appear to scare seniors or at least it shows seniors who say they're scared.

Is the president.

Being dishonest.

Yes the president's line so the Democrats and and this is here's the question.

Is the media gonna start calling the Democrats when they lie about governor Romney and -- Paul Ryan's budget.

United I was on another show and and -- the holes was saying you know is -- is going to be pretty difficult to really have a -- debate on this -- so what really that's up to the media are you gonna allow.

Us to have a good debates of this election is actually bought a mandate about starting to fix and solve the fiscal situation this country.

Or gonna continue just report the distractions.

But this administration this the presence campaign is putting out there because there refused -- on a dismal they've failed record.

Well senator the president may be right in one regard when he says you know Medicare will end as we know it because the -- -- say.

-- it's gonna be insolvent within the next twelve years.

Does the president's.

Approach to it make Medicare problems even worse.

By essentially taking 716.

Million dollars from it.

And using that money to pay for Obama care.

And that's and that's exactly the president does he steals money from Medicare to pay for health care plan that was -- can afford.

And you know -- your resume or talk about 500 billion dollars -- for Medicare.

Now we're talking 700 billion dollars because of budget window has -- for two years right when we -- the budget window forward to when it really -- again.

We're talking over a trillion dollars closer -- two trillion dollars in savings or cuts from Medicare or something.

Or additional Bart Bryant -- -- -- I think this really being paid for in the health care laws of the taxes and fees and -- about a half a trillion dollars.

In fairness Bryant and has Enron in their budget plan incorporates.

The very same 716.

Billion.

In cots.

That President Obama has has made.

Mitt Romney says those cuts gut Medicare so is very divine -- on the Ryan Romney Romney Ryan ticket.

Well there's difference -- -- using is just the basic.

And -- -- star -- -- policy want Christmas but he's just using the CBO baseline has yet to start somewhere and that's current law.

But as the president's law the health care law that actually takes that money.

And steals -- for Medicare and puts it toward his health care law which.

In in the real.

Spending -- -- of two of 2016 to 225.

Won't cost a trillion dollars on its health care law will cost 2.5 trillion dollars and that's the problem and that's what's gonna destroy Medicare senator Ron Johnson thank you for taking the time good to see you.

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