Democrats are expanding their Obama-Care offensive with Web ads in 12 competitive districts that feature people touting the benefits they’ve seen from the healthcare reform law, according to information shared first with The Hill.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s new online ads direct viewers to FacesOfRepeal.com, a standalone site that outlines the stories of Americans helped by the law.
{mosads}“I take insulin and 12 other medications, and my daughter’s medicine costs $700 a month. We couldn’t afford it without healthcare reform,” Diane, from Denver, says in the ad.
The new spots are an expansion of the DCCC’s campaign launched in mid-December against 44 vulnerable Republicans.
Added to the DCCC’s list in the new offensive are GOP Reps. Larry Bucshon (Ind.), Rodney Davis (Ill.), Chris Gibson (N.Y.), Lynn Jenkins (Kan.), David Joyce (Ohio), David McKinley (W.Va.), Steve Pearce (N.M.), Reid Ribble (Wis.) and Daniel Webster (Fla.), as well as Republican candidates Steve Lonegan, running for retiring Rep. Jon Runyan’s (R-N.J.) seat, and Alex Mooney and Charlotte Lane, running for Rep. Shelley Moore Capito’s (R-W.Va.) open seat.
The expansion is an indication that Democrats believe their messaging on the issue has been effective. The strategy allows the party both to tout the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, which have largely been overshadowed by the rocky rollout of HealthCare.gov, while knocking Republicans for pushing repeal but failing to propose a concrete alternative to the law.
Democrats have taken a hit in the polls in recent weeks, due in part to issues with the reform law. Republicans believe the law will offer them a potent political attack through November, but Democrats continue to insist that as the benefits of the law begin to emerge, it will become a boon for the party, as they look to pick up the 17 seats they need to regain control of the House.
Republicans remain unfazed by the offense, as they believe the focus on ObamaCare plays into their hands.
“We welcome Democrats’ decision to spend 2014 defending ObamaCare. Millions of Americans are losing their health care and paying more under this broken system, and Republicans are the only voices for oversight and accountability,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Daniel Scarpinato.
–This post was updated at 10 a.m. to reflect comment from the NRCC.