Defend away, Repubs-- I don't think it's going to help you

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Republicans defend Medicare plan after setback

Republicans on Wednesday rushed to defend their drive to cut government health spending amid signs it may spur a backlash from voters and weaken their hand in talks to tame the national debt.

As Democrats celebrated a surprise victory in a contest to fill an open congressional seat in New York, Republican Representative Paul Ryan warned that political pressures could scuttle a deal to get public finances under control.

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Democrats portrayed their victory on Tuesday to fill an open congressional seat in a Republican-leaning district in New York as a referendum on the Ryan plan, which would privatize the popular Medicare health program for retirees. [See Dear GOP: It's the Truth, Coming Home to Roost]

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[Obama's top economic adviser, Gene] Sperling said Democrats were open to ideas to reform Medicare, but they would not support other areas of the Ryan plan that cut food assistance and healthcare for the poor.

"I think the current House Republican Medicare plan is just very, very poorly designed," he said.

[snipped]
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