McCain Campaign Responds to Obama Criticisms Made at Bristol Rally

“Barack Obama’s has no record of bipartisan success on this issue and his proposal to put the government between Americans and their health care is a plan that even his allies on Capitol Hill think is unrealistic. Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain has the experience to understand that big government bureaucracy discourages competition, threatens our quality of health care and ensures the inefficiencies and frustrations Americans will not stand for. John McCain believes that families should make the decisions about their care, not the government, which is why he’s proposed a $5,000 per-family tax credit and proposed major overhauls to encourage more affordability and accessibility to care.” ---Tucker Bounds, spokesman John McCain 2008

FACT: Congressional Democrats Are Casting Doubts That The Obama Plan Will "Match The Political Reality On Capitol Hill"

Senior Congressional Democrats Are "Maneuvering To Lower Public Expectations" Of Sen. Obama's Health Care Promises. "Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult. It is still seven months before Election Day, but already senior Democrats are maneuvering to lower public expectations on the key policy issue." (Manu Raju, "Dems Hedge On Healthcare," The Hill, 4/23/08)

"For Some Senators, The Promises Made By Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) And Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) Outside Of Washington May Not Match The Political Reality On Capitol Hill." (Manu Raju, "Dems Hedge On Healthcare," The Hill, 4/23/08)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) On The Obama Health Care Plan: "We all know there is not enough money to do all this stuff. ... What they are doing is ... laying out their ambitions." (Manu Raju, "Dems Hedge On Healthcare," The Hill, 4/23/08)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Questioned If The U.S. Is "Ready For A Major National Heath Care Plan." "Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership and a key Hillary Clinton ally who also sits on the Finance Committee, said he is 'not sure we have the big plan on healthcare. ... Healthcare I feel strongly about, but I am not sure that we're ready for a major national healthcare plan,' Schumer said." (Manu Raju, "Dems Hedge On Healthcare," The Hill, 4/23/08)

As A Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama Says He Can Bridge The Partisan Divide Despite Having A "Doctrinaire Liberal Democrat" Record And Refusing To Join The Gang Of 14

“The Record Shows Obama To Be A Fairly Doctrinaire Liberal Democrat…” (Editorial, “Obama’s Rhetoric Soars, But What Does His Record Suggest?” USA Today, 1/28/08)

· In 2007, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 3/3/08)

· In 2006, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 96 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

· In 2005, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

“[O]bama Declined To Join The Bipartisan ‘Gang Of 14’ Coalition To Prevent Democratic Filibusters Of President Bush’s Judicial Nominations And Block A GOP Effort To Alter Senate Rules Limiting The Right To Filibuster.” (Morton M. Kondracke, Op-Ed, “Obama Shows Promise Of ‘New Politics,’ But Is He The ‘Real Deal’?” Roll Call, 3/22/07)

· Obama: “I declined to be a part of what would be called the Gang of Fourteen; given the profiles of some of the judges involved, it was hard to see what judicial nominee might be so much worse as to constitute an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ worthy of filibuster.” (Barack Obama, The Audacity Of Hope, 2006, p. 99)