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November 23, 2009 

CONTACT: Press Office

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WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee announced a new web video today on moderate Senate Democrats sacrificing their principles to give Harry Reid a victory that brings America dangerously closer to having a government-run health care system.  The web video, entitled “Dead of Night,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbIFmg68zTA.

“On Saturday night, a number of moderate Senate Democrats sacrificed their principles to bring America dangerously closer to government-run health care.  Ben Nelson sold out his conscience and voted in favor of federally funded abortions.  Blanche Lincoln sold out her principles by voting in favor of a government-run insurance plan, something she previously said she opposed.  And Mary Landrieu simply sold her vote to the highest bidder after Harry Reid added a $300 million earmark just for Louisiana.  Voters elected these Senators to represent their best interests.  Instead they voted in the dead of night for a health care experiment that will increase taxes, raise premiums, cut Medicare, and use taxpayer dollars to fund abortion.  This is not the representation Americans deserve.  It’s time for these Senators to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves who they really work for – their constituents or liberal Democrats like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele

 “DEAD OF NIGHT” SCRIPT

Time: 01:00

Voice: “Saturday night.”

Voice: “As Americans laid down for sleep.”

Voice: “Moderate Democrats lay down their beliefs.”

Chyron: LAY DOWN THEIR BELIEFS

Voice: “Sold out their constituents.”

Chyron: SOLD OUT THEIR CONSTITUENTS

Voice: “Rolled by pressure from Barack Obama and Harry Reid.”

Voice: “They voted to move forward a government-run health care bill our nation does not want and can't afford.”

Chyron: OUR NATION DOES NOT WANT AND CAN’T AFFORD

Voice: “One member sold her vote to the highest bidder.”

Chyron: SHE SOLD HER VOTE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

Chyron: MARY LANDRIEU LOUISIANA

Voice: “One member sold out his principles.”

Chyron: VOTED TO FUND ABORTIONS

Chyron: BEN NELSON NEBRASKA

Voice: “Two more - lost what little credibility they had on fiscal responsibility.” 

Chyron: LOST WHAT LITTLE CREDIBILITY THEY HAD ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Chyron: BYRON DORGAN NORTH DAKOTA

Chyron: EVAN BAYH INDIANA

Voice: “Another put the interests of the left of his party before his own state.” 

Chyron: HE PUT THE LEFT OF HIS PARTY BEFORE HIS OWN STATE

Chyron: HARRY REID NEVADA

Voice: “And another voted one way after saying she was for another.”

Chyron: VOTED FOR THE BILL WHEN, SHE SAID SHE WOULD OPPOSE IT

Chyron: BLANCHE LINCOLN ARKANSAS

Voice: “It's no wonder why Democrats voted in the dead of night.”

Chyron: DEMOCRATS

Chyron: VOTED

Chyron: IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

Chyron: LEARN MORE AT: GOP.COM

Onscreen Disclaimer: PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE. WWW.GOP.COM 

“DEAD OF NIGHT”AD FACTS 

Voice: “Saturday night, as Americans laid down for sleep, moderate Democrats lay down their beliefs, sold out their constituents, rolled by pressure by Barack Obama and Harry Reid.”

Chyron: LAY DOWN THEIR BELIEFS SOLD OUT THEIR CONSTITUENTS

On Saturday Night, “Moderate” Democrat Sens. Landrieu (LA), Nelson (NE), Bayh (IN), Dorgan (ND) And Lincoln (AR), Voted To Move Forward With Obama’s Government-Run Health Care Experiment. (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09)

In Order To Get All Democrats On Board, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) And Obama Administration Teamed Up To Use Their “Persuading Power And Arm-Twisting Prowess.” “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has recruited an all-star team of former senators — Vice President Joe Biden, Tom Daschle and Ken Salazar — to push healthcare reform over the finish line. … Reid’s all-star team indicates that the administration and Democratic leadership are now using all the persuading power and arm-twisting prowess available to them to carry President Barack Obama’s signature agenda item to a successful conclusion.” (Alexander Bolton, “Reid Rolling Out Big Guns To Push Healthcare Bill To 60,” The Hill, 11/18/09)

Voice: “They voted to move forward a government-run health care bill our nation does not want and can’t afford.”

Chyron: OUR NATION DOES NOT WANT AND CAN’T AFFORD

Democrats Voted To Move Forward With Harry Reid’s Government-Run Health Care Experiment. (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09)

In Recent Poll, More Americans Oppose Democrats’ Plans For Health Care Reform Than Support It. “In the new poll, 48 percent say they support the proposed changes; 49 percent are opposed.” (Dan Balz & Jon Cohen, “Deep Divisions Linger On Health Care,” The Washington Post, 11/17/09)

• And Say Dems’ Health Care Experiment Would Mean More Expensive Care For Them And The Rest Of The Nation. “[A] clear area of public concern centers on cost -- 52 percent say an altered system would probably make their own care more expensive, and 56 percent see the overall cost of health care in the country going up as a result.” (Dan Balz & Jon Cohen, “Deep Divisions Linger On Health Care,” The Washington Post, 11/17/09)

Senate Dems’ Government-Run Health Insurance Would Have Higher Premiums Than Private Coverage. “CBO’s assessment is that a public plan paying negotiated rates would attract a broad network of providers but would typically have premiums that were somewhat higher than the average premiums for the private plans in the exchanges.” (Douglas W. Elmendorf, Letter To Senator Harry Reid, 11/18/09)

Senate Dems’ Bill Taxes Americans Who Don’t Buy Insurance. “Sec. 5000A. Requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage. Requires individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage beginning in 2014. Failure to maintain coverage will result in a penalty of $95 in 2014, $350 in 2015, $750 in 2016 and indexed thereafter.” (“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Section‐by‐Section Analysis,” Democrats.Senate.Gov, Accessed 11/19/09)

Senate Dems’ Bill Hides “Doc Fix” Provision That Will Add $250 Billion To The Deficit. (Page 17, Douglas W. Elmendorf, Letter To Senator Harry Reid, 11/18/09)

Voice: “One member sold her vote to the highest bidder.”

Chyron: SHE SOLD HER VOTE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

Chyron: MARY LANDRIEU LOUISIANA

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA): “[I]'m Not For A Government-Run, National, Taxpayer-Subsidized Plan, And Never Will Be.” (Charles Babington, “Key Senators May Rebuff Obama On Health Care,” The Associated Press, 10/22/09)

But Landrieu Voted For Reid’s Government-Run Health Care Bill, Saying She’s Using Her Leverage “To Get Some Things That Are Important.” “I’m using as much leverage as I have for the issues that I think are important… [Y]ou’ve got to use the leverage when you’ve got it to get some things that are important…” (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Carrie Budoff Brown, “Landrieu Leans Yes In Sat. Cliffhanger,” Politico, 11/20/09)

Reid Gave Landrieu $100 Million Earmark In Order To Secure Her Vote. “On page 432 of the Reid bill, there is a section increasing federal Medicaid subsidies for ‘certain states recovering from a major disaster.’ … I am told the section applies to exactly one state:  Louisiana, the home of moderate Democrat Mary Landrieu, who has been playing hard to get on the health care bill. … Senator Harry Reid, who drafted the bill, cannot pass it without the support of Louisiana’s Mary Landrieu. How much does it cost?  According to the Congressional Budget Office: $100 million.” (Jonathan Karl, “The $100 Million Health Care Vote?” ABC News’s “The Note” Blog, 11/19/09)

Voice: “One member sold out his principles.”

Chyron: VOTED TO FUND ABORTIONS

Chyron: BEN NELSON NEBRASKA 

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) Said He Would Oppose Reid’s Bill Unless It Prohibits Federal Money From Funding Abortions. “Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said he could not support a bill unless it clearly prohibits federal money from going to pay for abortions. Nelson is weighing options, including offering an amendment similar to the one passed by the House this weekend. ‘While there may be different views about abortion, I think there's a strong majority against using federal dollars to fund abortions,’ Nelson said Tuesday on NBC's ‘Today.’” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Bill Clinton Meets With Senate Dems On Health Care,” The Associated Press, 11/10/09)

But Nelson Voted For Reid’s Health Care Experiment Even Though He Said Reid’s Abortion Language Won’t Clearly Prohibit Abortion Funding. “We have looked at the language… That language is not language that I would prefer. … I think you need to have it eminently clear that no dollars that are federal tax dollars, directly or indirectly, are used to pay for abortions and it needs to be totally clear. [It’s] not clear enough, I don’t think…” (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Michael O’Brien, “Lieberman: More Dems Could Join Public Option Filibuster,” The Hill’s “Briefing Room” Blog, 11/19/09)

Voice: “Two more lost what little credibility they had on fiscal responsibility.”

Chyron: LOST WHAT LITTLE CREDIBILITY THEY HAD ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Chyron: Bryon Dorgan North Dakota

Chyron: Evan Bayh Indiana

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) Wanted Assurance That Long-Term Care Entitlement In Reid’s Bill Wouldn’t Lead To Deficit Explosion. “[B]ayh said he was not confident that CBO’s 10-year scoring window would take into account the long-term budgetary effects of the insurance program. He fears its obligations would eventually far exceed the program’s revenues, forcing the government to pick up the slack. ‘I want to make sure that we’re not setting up a situation that will explode the deficit in the out years, regardless of what the CBO has to say about it,’ Bayh said.” (Drew Armstrong, “Affordability, Budget Issues Come To Forefront Of Senate’s Health Debate,” CQ Today, 10/27/09)

• But Bayh Voted For Reid’s Health Care Experiment Even Though CBO Said CLASS Act Would Cause The Deficit To Increase After 2029. “[T]he CLASS program included in the bill would generate net receipts for the government in the initial years when total premiums would exceed total benefit payments, but it would eventually lead to net outlays when benefits exceed premiums. As a result, the program would reduce deficits by $72 billion during the 10-year budget window and would reduce them by a smaller amount in the ensuing decade (an amount that is included in the calculations described in the preceding paragraphs). In the decade following 2029, the CLASS program would begin to increase budget deficits.” (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Douglas W. Elmendorf, Letter To Senator Harry Reid, 11/18/09)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Said Health Care Reform Should “Get A Handle” On Rising Cost Of Health Care. “Prices of health care are marching relentlessly upwards, and so too many people don't have coverage… The purpose of all of this is to try to get a handle on it somehow.” (Erica Werner, “Initial Senate Vote Looms On Health Legislation,” The Associated Press, 11/21/09)

• But Dorgan Voted For Reid’s Health Care Experiment Even Though CBO Said It Would Increase Health Care Costs For Federal Government. (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Page 16, Douglas W. Elmendorf, Letter To Senator Harry Reid, 11/18/09)

Voice: “Another put the interests of the left of his party before his own state.”

Chyron: HE PUT THE LEFT THE LEFT OF HIS PARTY BEFORE HIS OWN STATE

Chyron: HARRY REID NEVADA

After “Liberals Press[ed] Reid On Public Option.” “The liberal group Progressive Change Campaign Committee is airing a new TV ad in Nevada, which urges Harry Reid to support a public option in the health-care negotiations. The ad asks: ‘Is Harry Reid strong enough?’ As Senate majority leader, Reid is tasked with forging together the Senate Finance Committee health-care bill (which doesn't contain a public option) and the Senate HELP Committee bill (which does). (Mark Murray, “Liberals Press Reid On Public Option,” MSNBC’s “First Read” Blog, 10/19/09)

Reid Inserted Government-Run Health Insurance Into His Bill To Please Liberals In Senate. “The Senate’s top Democrat said the health-care bill he is bringing to the Senate floor will include a government-run health-insurance plan, a remarkable comeback for an idea that was voted down in a key committee less than a month ago ... Mr. Reid was staking his credibility and clout as a party leader in calling for a version of government-run insurance that is close to what liberals have sought.” (Greg Hitt and Janet Adamy, “Reid Says Senate Bill Will Have Public Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/27/09)

More Nevadans Oppose Obama’s Government-Run Health Care Plan Than Those Who Support It, And 77% Think It Will Lead To Higher Taxes. “Forty-nine percent of Nevadans oppose President Barack Obama's health care reform proposal and 43 percent support it, according to a statewide poll. The telephone survey of 500 registered voters conducted for the Las Vegas Review-Journal also found that 77 percent of Nevadans think the plan will require tax increases.” (“Poll: Most See Tax Hikes In Health Reform,” The Nevada Appeal, 10/11/09)

Voice: “And another voted one way after saying she was for another.”

Chyron: VOTED FOR THE BILL WHEN, SHE SAID SHE WOULD OPPOSE IT 

Chyron: BLANCHE LINCOLN ARKANSAS

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Signaled Opposition To Government-Run Health Care. “Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who could face a tough re-election battle next year, is signaling her opposition, and she has been noncommittal on whether she would vote with Democrats to end debate on the final measure and move to passage.” (David Drucker, “Moderates Make Feelings Known,” Roll Call, 10/28/09)

But Lincoln Voted For Reid’s Health Care Experiment Weeks After Saying She “Ruled Out A Government-Funded And A Government-Operated Plan.” (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Charles Babington, “Key Senators May Rebuff Obama On Health Care,” The Associated Press, 10/22/09)

Voice: “It’s no wonder why Democrats voted in the dead of night.”

Chyron: DEMOCRATS VOTED IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

Democrats Voted To Move Forward With Reid’s Health Care Experiment Happened On Saturday Night At 8 PM. “Senate Democrats have cleared the way for a Saturday night vote to begin the healthcare debate, a Democratic aide said … The Senate will vote at 8 pm Saturday to cut off debate on a motion to proceed to the healthcare reform bill.” (H.R. 3590, Cloture Vote On Motion To Proceed, Roll Call Vote #353; Approved 60-39; D 58-0; R 0-39, I 2-0, 11/21/09; Alexander Bolton, “Senate Health Vote Set For Saturday Night,” The Hill, 11/19/09)

Chyron: LEARN MORE: AT GOP.COM

On Screen Disclaimer: PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE WWW.GOP.COM