Green's shameless senior moment

Both political parties in Wisconsin put out way too many news releases, and most never see the light of day except on the Internet.

But every once in awhile someone hits a bullseye. Today, for example:

Mark Green for SeniorCare?

Laughable

Has Voted Against SeniorCare Every Step of the Way

MADISON – Today, Governor Jim Doyle announced a new state effort to extend SeniorCare. It was good news for seniors across the state, and just the latest in the Governor’s long history of fighting for SeniorCare.

In the minutes before the announcement, fax machines in newsrooms across the state began churning out a hastily written letter from none other than Mark Green, claiming his support for SeniorCare. [And urging Doyle to do what he was already doing, asking for an extension. --Xoff.]

A fax rushed out during an announcement by the Governor? That’s Mark Green’s SeniorCare effort? Laughable.

Here’s the real Green record on SeniorCare, a program his actions have put at risk over, and over, and over again:

Green cast the deciding vote to pass the bill that would have ended SeniorCare but for the actions of Governor Doyle. [Source: HR1, Vote 332, 6/27/03]

Green voted against allowing Medicare to be amended so that it didn’t affect SeniorCare. [Source: HRes299, Vote 321, 6/26/03]

Green voted again against allowing Medicare to be amended so that it didn’t affect SeniorCare. [Source: HRes459, Vote 659, 11/21/03]

Green voted for a third time against allowing Medicare to be amended so that it didn’t affect SeniorCare. [Source: HRes463, Vote 665, 11/21/03]

Green voted to adopt the conference report that would have meant the end of Wisconsin’s SeniorCare program but for the actions of the Governor. [Source: HR1, Vote 669, 11/22/03]

Green voted with Tom DeLay against Wisconsin’s seniors, voting against reconsidering the vote to adopt the conference report. [Source: HR1, Vote 670, 11/22/03]

The Medicare bill was so unpopular that Green and his Republican allies in the House had to hold the vote open for nearly three hours to gather enough votes for it to pass. [Source: HRes474, Vote 677, 12/8/03, CQ Weekly, "2003 Legislative Summary: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage", 12/13/03]

“Mark Green’s transparent attempt to get in on some good news is pitiful,” said Joe Wineke, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “He has worked to kill SeniorCare time and again. Now he wants to take some credit for a program that is justifiably popular with so many Wisconsin seniors and their families? It would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.”