Here's your moderate, establishment Republican presidential candidate, Jeb! He's the one who wants to
"phase out" Medicare. Here's exactly what he said Wednesday at a New Hampshire event sponsored by the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity:
The left needs to join the conversation, but they haven't. I mean, when [Rep. Paul Ryan] came up with one of his proposals as it relates to Medicare, the first thing I saw was a TV ad of a guy that looked just like Paul Ryan … that was pushing an elderly person off the cliff in a wheelchair. That’s their response.
And I think we need to be vigilant about this and persuade people that our, when your volunteers go door to door, and they talk to people, people understand this. They know, and I think a lot of people recognize that we need to make sure we fulfill the commitment to people that have already received the benefits, that are receiving the benefits. But that we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something—because they’re not going to have anything. [emphasis added]
Actually, that's Jeb! being honest about Republicans' goals and policies. Paul Ryan wouldn't admit that ending Medicare was what he has in mind with his voucher scheme, but that's the aim, and always has been. Jeb! just isn't astute enough politically to know that that's not the kind of thing that you're supposed to actually say out loud, even if it is what the Kochs want to hear.
He's also not politically astute enough to read the polls. Medicare is hugely popular with those "people" he's talking about that are hearing the Kochs' message on their doorsteps. Only about a quarter of people actually support Ryan's voucher system, the kind of change Jeb! says is necessary.
What's more, he's behind in his news. Thanks in large part to Obamacare, Medicare is on very solid footing. It's going to be around for a long time. A lot longer than Jeb, if he keeps up this kind of talk.
Watch the video of his remarks below the fold.