Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) is making a smart bet that
running hard on Social Security expansion is going to give him the edge in November. He's holding town meetings with seniors, presenting his
policy ideas for keeping Social Security strong, and increasing benefits.
Begich's campaign tells Greg Sargent that Social Security "will be a key component of his message in the final stretch of the race," and sends this email.
"Begich firmly believes we need to expand Social Security benefits, not cut them, and he's committed to sharing this view and standing up for Alaska seniors on the campaign trail, as he has in the Senate. In the coming weeks Begich will make the contrast with his opponent very clear. Begich's opponent, Dan Sullivan, believes Alaska's seniors should have to pass a test to receive the Social Security benefits they've spent their life contributing to and supports raising the retirement age."
Begich has long tried to draw this contrast around this issue. "Are we for or against helping seniors have a dignified life in their later years? I'm for that," Begich recently said, by way of spelling out this contrast. "They would reduce the benefits of seniors. I'm working to make sure benefits are preserved and increased to reflect the costs seniors face." Now Begich's campaign says he will amplify this message in the final days of the race.
Making this a key issue in the campaign has been made easier by Sullivan, who
says he thinks the eligibility age should be raised, and that the program should be means tested. In other words, Social Security cuts. In contrast, Begich would lift the payroll tax cap, so people making more than the current cap $117,000 annually would pay taxes on their earnings above that. He would increase benefits for surviving spouses, many who are women left struggling when their husbands die, as well as disabled seniors. These are the particularly vulnerable seniors—those who often had lower earnings in their working years either because they're women or because they left the workforce earlier because of disability. Begich would also adopt a cost of living index that is actually tied to the things seniors spend the most on—like housing and medicine.
That's good policy nationally, but it's also good politics locally. Life in Alaska can be pretty expensive because basic things—like food—have to be shipped in from out of state, and because heating and electrical costs are high. So Begich's message certainly won't be lost on Alaska's seniors. This is one issue where the contrast between Democrat and Republican couldn't be clearer. Begich is smart to make the most of it.
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