RICHMOND – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign released a new TV ad today: Lost his Way. The ad shows how far Mark Warner has strayed from the independent voice he promised to be, and contrasts Warner’s record with Ed Gillespie’s economic growth plan. The ad is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzDxGCblYg&feature=youtu.be
Speaking about the new ad, Campaign Manager Chris Leavitt said, “Mark Warner told us he would be an independent voice for Virginians, but has lost his way in Washington, voting 97 percent of the time with President Obama. In a moment of candor, the President said yesterday that while he wasn’t running himself, ‘Make no mistake: these policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them.’ Ed Gillespie’s economic growth plan offers Virginians a new and better direction.”
VO: In Washington, Mark Warner lost his way, voting with Obama 97 percent. Yes for Obamacare. Yes to $7 trillion in new debt. Yes for $1 trillion in higher taxes hitting the middle class and small businesses.
Ed Gillespie: The Obama-Warner policies are hurting us. My economic plan will create jobs by replacing Obamacare, providing tax relief and more affordable energy, so we can ease the squeeze on hardworking Virginians. That’s a new and better direction.
Background:
Since joining the Senate, Mark Warner has voted 97 percent of the time with President Obama – more often than the average for his Democratic colleagues in the Senate. (CQ Weekly, Vote Studies, 2009-2013)
In 2009, Mark Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.
A man in audience responded: Why lie to us?
Warner replied: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I’m not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.
Shortly afterwards, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.
In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. “Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)
The Rule Is “Largely Responsible” For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. “Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)
The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. “The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare’s more robust coverage requirements.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)
In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. “McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits.” (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)
Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)
Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because “He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding” While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. “Webb’s office provided this statement:: ‘Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.’” (Amy Lotven, “Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)
In the Senate, Mark Warner voted for $7 trillion in new debt and nearly $1 trillion in new taxes.
(PolitiFact: True)
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